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Book Editors

Earnings

Earnings for book editors vary based on the size of the employer and the types of books it publishes, geographic location, and experience of the editor. In July 2024, Salary.com reported the average salary for editors was $67,881. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that editors who worked for book, newspaper, and magazine publishers earned mean annual salaries of $78,500 in May 2023. For all editors, salaries ranged from a low of less than $38,790 to a high of more than $138,920 annually. In general, editors are paid higher salaries at large companies, in major cities, and on the East and West Coasts.

Publishers usually offer employee benefits that are about average for U.S. industry. There are other benefits, however; most editors enjoy working with people who like books, and the atmosphere of an editorial department is generally intellectual and stimulating. Some book editors have the opportunity to travel in order to attend meetings, to meet with authors, or to do research.

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