Fashion Writers and Editors

Fashionista.com reports the following average earnings for fashion editorial and writing professionals in 2022:

• director-level editor $118,670
• writer $91,900
• senior editor: $78,000
• fashion editor: $74,090

The median annual salary for writers in all fields was $73,690 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $40,900, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $148,240 or more. Bestselling authors may make $200,000 or more per year, but they are few in number. Writers who worked for newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers earned mean annual salaries of $73,740 in May 2023, while those who were employed by advertising, public relations, and related services firms earned $79,200. Independent writers, artists, and performers earned average salaries of $108,620.

The salaries of fashion editors are roughly comparable to those of other editors. Median annual earnings for all editors were $75,020 in May 2023, according to the DOL. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $138,920. The mean annual earnings for editors in newspaper, periodical, and book publishing were $78,500, and those who worked for media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers earned $92,320. Starting salaries of $20,000 or less are still common in many areas.

Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health, and sometimes dental, insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed fashion writers and editors must provide their own benefits.