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Copy Editor Salary in Washington

How much does a Copy Editor make in Washington?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Copy Editor in Washington is $70,988 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,716
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,833 to $75,557
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,409
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Copy Editor Salaries

A Copy Editor'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Copy Editor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Copy Editor'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,653
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,701
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $98,364
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,721
  • Expert (over 8 years): $115,527
Levels Salary
Copy Edit... Level Copy Editor$70,653
Copywrite... Level Copy Editor$79,701
Copywrite... Level Copy Editor$98,364
Copywrite... Level Copy Editor$116,721
Copywriti... Level Copy Editor$115,527
View as Graph

How Do Copy Editor 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 Copy Editors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,488.
  • California: $72,213.
  • Massachusetts: $71,250.

Top Paying Cities for Copy Editors

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:

  • Auburn: $70,901
  • Federal Way: $70,871
  • Bellevue: $72,327

Copy Editor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Copy Editor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Copy Editor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Copy Editor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Copy Editor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$85,186$41.020%
Energy & Utilities$81,637$39.015%
Aerospace & Defense$78,087$38.010%
Financial Services$78,087$38.010%
Healthcare$78,087$38.010%

Copy Editor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Copy Editor'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 September 01, 2026
$62,833
Average $70,988/year
$75,557
$5,236
Average $5,916/month
$6,296
$1,208
Average $1,365/week
$1,453
$30
Average $34/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,557 $6,296 $1,453 $36
Average $70,988 $5,916 $1,365 $34
25th Percentile $62,833 $5,236 $1,208 $30

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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