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Communications Editor I Salary in the United States

How much does a Communications Editor I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Editor I in the United States is $61,207 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Communications Editor I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,271
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,849 to $65,428
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,150
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Communications Editor I Salaries

A Communications Editor I'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 Communications Editor I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Communications Editor I'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:

  • Communications Editor I (0-2 years): $61,207
  • Communications Editor II (2-4 years): $74,495
  • Communications Editor III (4-7 years): $96,331
  • Communications Editor IV (7+ years): $110,469
  • Communications Editor Supervisor (7+ years): $103,856
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Communications Editor I0-2 years$61,207
Communications Editor II2-4 years$74,495
Communications Editor III4-7 years$96,331
Communications Editor IV7+ years$110,469
Communications Editor Supervisor7+ years$103,856
View as Graph

How Do Communications Editor Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Communications Editor Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,768.
  • California: $67,511.
  • Massachusetts: $66,612.

Top Paying Cities for Communications Editor I

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: $77,200
  • San Francisco: $76,355
  • Oakland: $74,746

What Skills Can Increase a Communications Editor I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.63% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Photography (Mentioned in 2.36% Job Postings): Photography is the art, application and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employed in many fields of science, manufacturing (e.g., photolithography), and business, as well as its more direct uses for art, film and video production, recreational purposes, hobby, and mass communication. Typically, a lens is used to focus the light reflected or emitted from objects into a real image on the light-sensitive surface inside a camera during a timed exposure. With an electronic image sensor, this produces an electrical charge at each pixel, which is electronically processed and stored in a digital image file for subsequent display or processing. The result with photographic emulsion is an invisible latent image, which is later chemically "developed" into a visible image, either negative or positive depending on the purpose of the photographic material and the method of processing. A negative image on film is traditionally used to photographically create a positive image on a paper base, known as a print, either by using an enlarger or by contact printing.
  • Internal Communications (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Internal communications (IC) is the function responsible for effective communications among participants within an organization. The scope of the function varies by organization and practitioner, from producing and delivering messages and campaigns on behalf of management, to facilitating two-way dialogue and developing the communication skills of the organization's participants. Modern understanding of internal communications is a field of its own and draws on the theory and practice of related professions, not least journalism, knowledge management, public relations (e.g., media relations), marketing and human resources, as well as wider organizational studies, communication theory, social psychology, sociology and political science.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.63%
Photography 2.36%
Internal Communications 1.75%
See More Skills

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 Communications Editor I's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Project Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Marketing Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $74,060
21%
Project Communications $69,164
13%
Marketing Communications $66,104
8%
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Communications Editor I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Communications Editor I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,518. While startup companies pay approximate $57,964.

Communications Editor I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $57,964
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,304
Established 501~5000 $66,166
Enterprise 5000+ $68,518

Communications Editor I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Communications Editor I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Communications Editor positions in Chemicals or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Communications Editor I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Communications Editor I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$85,690$41.040%
Pharmaceuticals$79,569$38.030%
Financial Services$76,509$37.025%
Software & Networking$73,448$35.020%
Aerospace & Defense$70,388$34.015%

How Education impacts an Communications Editor I's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Communications Editor I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,754 and $61,232.

Communications Editor I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Communications Editor I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 2.0%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 71.6%
Masters 22.1%
Doctorate 1.4%
View as Graph

Communications Editor I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Communications Editor I'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 August 01, 2026
$53,849
Average $61,207/year
$65,428
$4,487
Average $5,101/month
$5,452
$1,036
Average $1,177/week
$1,258
$26
Average $29/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,428 $5,452 $1,258 $31
Average $61,207 $5,101 $1,177 $29
25th Percentile $53,849 $4,487 $1,036 $26

Communications Editor I Salary Growth & Career Path

Communications Editor I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Communications Editor I, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Communications Editor II $74,495 22%
Speech Writer $136,917 124%

Most common benefits for Communications Editor I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Communications Editor I

Here are companies hiring for Communications Editor I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Communications Editor I

1. Where can a Communications Editor I earn the most?

A Communications Editor I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Communications Editor I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Communications Editor I is $77,200.

2. What is the highest pay for Communications Editor I?

The highest pay for Communications Editor I is $69,271.

3. What is the lowest pay for Communications Editor I?

The lowest pay for Communications Editor I is $47,150.

4. What are the responsibilities of Communications Editor I?

Writes, prepares, and/or reviews content to be used in company publications. Coordinates the preparation of company publications and articles with various departments. Reviews artwork and verifies facts. Ensures all work follows editorial policies and standards. Maintains company's identity, design standards, and policies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Communications Editor I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Communications Editor I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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