Hiring guide · Arts, Media & Design
How to Hire an Editor
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring editors, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $77,920), recruit through portfolio sites and creative communities, verify Editing certificate where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for editors
There are about 105,000 editors employed in the U.S., with roughly 7,900 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -1.1% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $41,250–$57,300 | $19.83–$27.55 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $153,700 | $73.89 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Line editing
- Judgment
Nice-to-haves
- Editing certificate
- ACES training
- SEO certification
- Experience with CMS platforms
Where to find editors
- Portfolio sites and creative communities
- Art, design, film and journalism school career centers
- Freelancers who have already worked with your team
- Professional associations such as AIGA and PRSA
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Copy Editor, Content Editor, Managing Editor, Acquisitions Editor
Screening checklist
- Portfolio or reel review
- A short paid test project
- Software proficiency check
- References from clients or creative directors
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Edit this paragraph.”
What a strong answer includes: Edit.
2. “What style guides do you know?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
3. “How do you give feedback?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you handle deadlines?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Describe a story you improved.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Edit a Story in Three Passes (see the steps)
- Give Writers Feedback They Can Use (see the steps)
- Write a Headline That Gets Read (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Deadline, Style guide, Byline
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Editor 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Editor training. Show them the path forward: Editorial Assistant → Copy Editor → Senior Editor → Editor-in-Chief.
Hiring editors: FAQ
How much should I pay an editor?
The U.S. median wage for editors is $77,920 per year ($37.46/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($57,300), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($106,100). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an editor have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Editing certificate and ACES training where relevant, plus skills such as line editing, copyediting, and fact-checking.
How long does it take to train a new editor?
Becoming qualified typically takes Writing experience plus on-the-job learning. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”