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Communications Editor III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Editor III in the United States is $96,331 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,411
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,103 to $106,318
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,791
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Communications Editor III Salaries

A Communications Editor III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Communications Editor III'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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $106,658.
  • California: $106,253.
  • Massachusetts: $104,837.

Top Paying Cities for Communications Editor III

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: $121,502
  • San Francisco: $120,172
  • Oakland: $117,639

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.54% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Proofreading (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): Proofreading is the reading of a galley proof or an electronic copy of a publication to detect and correct production errors of text or art.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.54%
Microsoft Office 1.9%
Proofreading 1.34%
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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 III's salary.

  • Brand Awareness: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Brand Awareness $114,634
19%
Interpersonal Communication $114,634
19%
Products and Services $109,817
14%
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Communications Editor III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Communications Editor III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,837. While startup companies pay approximate $91,228.

Communications Editor III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $91,228
Growth Stage 51~500 $96,484
Established 501~5000 $104,136
Enterprise 5000+ $107,837

Communications Editor III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Communications Editor III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Communications Editor positions in Media or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Communications Editor III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Communications Editor III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$125,230$60.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$120,414$58.025%
Aerospace & Defense$115,597$56.020%
MFG Durable$113,671$55.018%
Biotechnology$110,781$53.015%

How Education impacts an Communications Editor III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Communications Editor III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $92,285 and $98,963.

Communications Editor III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Communications Editor III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 1.7%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 61.2%
Masters 30.6%
Doctorate 4.1%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Communications Editor III'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
$86,103
Average $96,331/year
$106,318
$7,175
Average $8,028/month
$8,860
$1,656
Average $1,853/week
$2,045
$41
Average $46/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,318 $8,860 $2,045 $51
Average $96,331 $8,028 $1,853 $46
25th Percentile $86,103 $7,175 $1,656 $41

Communications Editor III Salary Growth & Career Path

Communications Editor III

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Advancement

For a Communications Editor III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Communications Editor IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $110,469 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Communications Editor III

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

Common company salaries for Communications Editor III

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

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FAQ about Communications Editor III

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

A Communications Editor III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Communications Editor III is $121,502.

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

The highest pay for Communications Editor III is $115,411.

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

The lowest pay for Communications Editor III is $76,791.

4. What are the responsibilities of Communications Editor III?

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. May provide guidance to lower-level staff. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Communications Editor III roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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