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As a Communications Editor, you play a crucial role in crafting clear and engaging content that communicates important messages. The average annual salary for this role, as of October 2025, is approximately $41,611. This figure can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry you work in.
Different states offer varying salaries for Communications Editors. For example, those working in California and New York typically earn more than their counterparts in other states. Understanding these geographical differences can help you negotiate better pay and choose the right location for your career aspirations.
In addition to salary, Communications Editors can find numerous opportunities for advancement in related fields. Positions like Content Director and Public Relations Manager can offer higher compensation and greater responsibilities. Continuous professional development, such as pursuing certifications or further education, can enhance your job prospects and salary potential.
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The average communications editor salary in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average communications editor salary states are Oregon, Idaho, and South Dakota.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $67,588 | $32.49 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $73,753 | $35.46 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $62,263 | $29.93 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $68,199 | $32.79 |
| 5 | Delaware | $56,352 | $27.09 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $59,622 | $28.66 |
| 7 | Virginia | $56,259 | $27.05 |
| 8 | Maryland | $58,104 | $27.93 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $59,043 | $28.39 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $61,576 | $29.60 |
| 11 | Vermont | $51,669 | $24.84 |
| 12 | California | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $57,152 | $27.48 |
| 14 | Maine | $50,569 | $24.31 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| 16 | Nevada | $46,131 | $22.18 |
| 17 | Illinois | $47,648 | $22.91 |
| 18 | Michigan | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $44,013 | $21.16 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $44,975 | $21.62 |
| 21 | Texas | $44,605 | $21.44 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $36,696 | $17.64 |
| 23 | Arizona | $44,496 | $21.39 |
| 24 | Ohio | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $42,468 | $20.42 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $44,756 | $21.52 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $41,365 | $19.89 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $41,664 | $20.03 |
| 29 | Georgia | $43,787 | $21.05 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $42,387 | $20.38 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $31,973 | $15.37 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $41,968 | $20.18 |
| 33 | Utah | $34,386 | $16.53 |
| 34 | Washington | $33,852 | $16.27 |
| 35 | Colorado | $35,722 | $17.17 |
| 36 | Alabama | $40,016 | $19.24 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $40,516 | $19.48 |
| 39 | Iowa | $34,962 | $16.81 |
| 40 | Alaska | $19,314 | $9.29 |
| 41 | Florida | $36,548 | $17.57 |
| 42 | Idaho | $27,360 | $13.15 |
| 43 | Oregon | $28,175 | $13.55 |
| 44 | Indiana | $34,883 | $16.77 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,632 | $16.17 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $24,686 | $11.87 |
| 47 | Montana | $22,814 | $10.97 |
| 48 | Kansas | $29,619 | $14.24 |
| 49 | Missouri | $29,144 | $14.01 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $28,912 | $13.90 |
The highest-paying cities for communications editors are New York, NY, Washington, DC, and Santa Clara, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $68,107 | $32.74 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $61,891 | $29.76 |
| 3 | Santa Clara, CA | $60,729 | $29.20 |
| 4 | Rockville, MD | $56,892 | $27.35 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $44,752 | $21.52 |
| 6 | Duluth, GA | $43,736 | $21.03 |
| 7 | West Lafayette, IN | $34,136 | $16.41 |
A communications editor's salary ranges from $15,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $112,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $9,333 | $54 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| Average | $41,611 | $3,468 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $15,000 | $1,250 | $7 |
The highest paying types of communications editors are communications consultant, senior editor, and managing editor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer And Editor | $61,482 | $5,124 | $29.56 | 14,865 |
| Editor | $52,107 | $4,342 | $25.05 | 15,115 |
| News Editor | $53,822 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 12,484 |
| Managing Editor | $89,060 | $7,422 | $42.82 | 16,781 |
| Copy Editor | $62,599 | $5,217 | $30.10 | 4,866 |
| Sports Editor | $50,996 | $4,250 | $24.52 | 5,845 |
Top companies hiring communications editors now:
Communications editor salaries at Moody's and Activision Blizzard are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average communications editor salary at companies like The Walt Disney Company and The City University of New York are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moody's | $128,022 | $61.55 |
| 2 | Activision Blizzard | $89,048 | $42.81 |
| 3 | The Walt Disney Company | $63,378 | $30.47 |
| 4 | The City University of New York | $60,671 | $29.17 |
| 5 | Leaf Group | $42,940 | $20.64 |
| 6 | East West Bank | $42,888 | $20.62 |
| 7 | Kalman & Company | $42,486 | $20.43 |
| 8 | Science Medical Equipment | $41,871 | $20.13 |
| 9 | Medical Science & Computing, LLC | $41,871 | $20.13 |
| 10 | Tzell Travel Group | $34,806 | $16.73 |
The average communications editor salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| 2 | Technology | $64,076 | $30.81 |
| 3 | Energy | $61,444 | $29.54 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $61,378 | $29.51 |
| 5 | Professional | $45,725 | $21.98 |
| 6 | Media | $39,747 | $19.11 |
The average communications editor salary has risen by $7,233 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average communications editor earned $34,378 annually, but today, they earn $41,611 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for communications editors over the last decade.
Compare communications editor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare communications editor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,600 | $20.01 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $40,300 | $19.36 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $39,000 | $18.77 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $38,600 | $18.54 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $37,500 | $18.05 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennsylvania State University | Editor-Bellisario College of Communications | University Park, FL | 03/09/2025 | $46,400 |
| Penn State University | Editor-Bellisario College of Communications | Parkesburg, PA | 03/06/2025 | $46,400 |
| Springer Nature Group | Chief Editor, Communications Medicine | New York, NY | 02/19/2025 | $130,000 |
| Youth Communication | Editor, Youth Communication | New York, NY | 02/19/2025 | $70,000 |
| Alpinestars USA Inc. | Videographer/Editor-Motorcycling-Sales Communications | Torrance, CA | 02/17/2025 | $70,000 |
| Guidehouse | Scientific Communications Editor | Rockville, MD | 01/26/2025 | $56,000 |
| Axle Informatics LLC | Scientific Communications Editor | Rockville, MD | 01/26/2025 | $60,000 |
| Axle | Scientific Communications Editor | Rockville, MD | 01/17/2025 | $60,000 |
| Gap Solutions Inc. | Scientific Communications Editor | North Bethesda, MD | 12/20/2024 | $100,000 |
| Gap Solutions Inc. | Scientific Communications Editor | Bethesda, MD | 12/19/2024 | $100,000 |
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