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Copyeditor II Salary in the United States

How much does a Copyeditor II make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Copyeditor II in the United States is $78,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Copyeditor II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,863
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,200 to $84,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,645
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,200 10% $64,645 90% $89,863 75% $84,400 $78,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Copyeditor II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $84,400 $7,033 $1,623 $41
Average $78,400 $6,533 $1,508 $38
25th Percentile $71,200 $5,933 $1,369 $34
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Key Factors That Influence Copyeditor II Salaries

A Copyeditor II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Copyeditor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Copyeditor II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Copyeditor I (0-2 years): $61,872
  • Copyeditor II (2-4 years): $78,333
  • Copyeditor III (4-7 years): $96,151
  • Copyeditor Manager (7+ years): $113,200
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Copyeditor I0-2 years$61,872
Copyeditor II2-4 years$78,333
Copyeditor III4-7 years$96,151
Copyeditor Manager7+ years$113,200
$61,872 Copyedito...
$78,333 Copyedito...
$96,151 Copyedito...
$113,200 Copyedito...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Copyeditor IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $98,900
  • San Francisco: $97,800
  • Oakland: $95,700

What Skills Can Increase a Copyeditor II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 3.33% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Copyediting (Mentioned in 2.53% Job Postings): Copy editing (also copyediting, sometimes abbreviated ce) is the process of reviewing and correcting written material to improve accuracy, readability, and fitness for its purpose, and to ensure that it is free of error, omission, inconsistency, and repetition. In the context of publication in print, copy editing is done before typesetting and again before proofreading, the final step in the editorial cycle.:1–5 In the United States and Canada, an editor who does this work is called a copy editor. An organization's highest-ranking copy editor, or the supervising editor of a group of copy editors, may be known as the copy chief, copy desk chief, or news editor. In book publishing in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world that follow British nomenclature, the term copy editor is used, but in newspaper and magazine publishing, the term is subeditor (or sub-editor), commonly shortened to sub. The senior subeditor of a publication is frequently called the chief subeditor. As the prefix sub suggests, copy editors typically have less authority than regular editors.
  • Content Creation (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): Content creation is the contribution of information to any media and most especially to digital media for an end-user/audience in specific contexts. Content is "something that is to be expressed through some medium, as speech, writing or any of various arts" for self-expression, distribution, marketing and/or publication. Typical forms of content creation include maintaining and updating web sites, blogging, photography, videography, online commentary, the maintenance of social media accounts, and editing and distribution of digital media. A Pew survey described content creation as the creation of "the material people contribute to the online world."
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 3.33%
Copyediting 2.53%
Content Creation 1.74%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Copyeditor II's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Medical Writing: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$88,592
13%
Medical Writing
$87,808
12%
Storytelling
$87,808
12%
Digital Media
$87,024
11%
Analysis
$87,024
11%
Innovation
$87,024
11%
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How Education impacts a Copyeditor II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Copyeditor IIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Copyeditor II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $73,512 and $78,912).

Copyeditor II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Copyeditor II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.3%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 62.5%
Masters 27.2%
Doctorate 5.7%
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Copyeditor II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Copyeditor II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Copyeditor II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Copyeditor II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Copyeditor II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Copyeditor III $96,160 23%
Senior Web Photo Editor $86,400 10%

Salary Trends for Copyeditor II

Salaries for a Copyeditor II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $67,755 in 2023 to around $67,261 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Copyeditor II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Copyeditor II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$67,755
2024
$67,552
2025
$67,261
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $67,755
2024 $67,552
2025 $67,261
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Copyeditor II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Copyeditor II

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FAQ about Copyeditor II

1. What is the salary of a beginner Video Editor?

The salary for a beginner Copyeditor typically ranges from ₹68,800 to ₹88,500 per year, with a mid-range salary of approximately ₹78,100. This reflects the entry-level compensation for those starting in the field, with potential for growth as experience increases.

2. What is the highest paying editing job?

The highest paying editing job is often a Senior Technical Editor, with salaries reaching up to $88,500 per year. Other roles like Offline Editor and Senior Editor can also offer competitive salaries, typically ranging from $68,800 to $88,500 annually. Overall, copyediting positions provide a solid income, with mid-level salaries around $78,100.

3. What comes after copy editing?

After copy editing, the next step is proofreading. This process occurs after the copy editor has finished their work and before publication. Proofreading ensures that any remaining errors are caught, maintaining the quality of the text. Copyeditors typically earn between $68,800 and $88,500, with a median salary of $78,100.

4. Is copy editor an entry level job?

The qualifications needed to start as an entry-level copy editor include a degree, strong attention to detail, and a solid understanding of the English language. Typically, copy editors earn a minimum salary of $68,800, with a mid-range salary of $78,100 and a maximum of $88,500, often after completing a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field.

5. How much to edit 10,000 words?

For editing 10,000 words, you can expect to pay between $688 to $885 for proofreading, $1,250 for copy editing, and $700 for content editing or rewriting. Rates may vary based on the editor's experience and the complexity of the text, with many services offering lower rates for larger projects.

6. Where do copy editors make the most money?

Copy editors can earn competitive salaries, with a range from $68,800 to $88,500 annually. Cities like San Francisco, CA, and Baltimore, MD, are known for higher pay rates, with hourly wages around $47.80 and $46.44, respectively. These locations often offer salaries that align with or exceed the mid-range salary of $78,100 for copy editors.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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