How Much Does an Entry Level Copy Editor Make in the United States ? (2026 Salary Guide)

Entry Level Copy Editor Salary in the United States

As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Copy Editor in the US is $71,299, equivalent to $34 per hour, $1,371 weekly, or $5,942 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Copy Editor in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Entry Level Copy Editor in the US vary widely, spanning from $58,826 to $81,684. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($64,770) and 75th percentile ($76,735), while top earners (90th percentile) make $81,684 per year. This $11,965 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Project Management or Copyediting, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Entry Level Copy Editor often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 50 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

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Entry Level Copy Editor Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Entry Level Copy Editor Salary $58,826 US July 01, 2026
25th Percentile Entry Level Copy Editor Salary $64,770 US July 01, 2026
50th Percentile Entry Level Copy Editor Salary $71,299 US July 01, 2026
75th Percentile Entry Level Copy Editor Salary $76,735 US July 01, 2026
90th Percentile Entry Level Copy Editor Salary $81,684 US July 01, 2026
25% $64,770 10% $58,826 90% $81,684 75% $76,735 $71,299 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Entry Level Copy Editor

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  1. Down a level:

    Editor I

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Entry Level Copy Editor

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Editor III

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for an Entry Level Copy Editor, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
64770
76735
71299

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
67843
87429
77292
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Entry Level Copy Editor in the United States. The base salary for Entry Level Copy Editor ranges from $64,770 to $76,735 with the average base salary of $71,299. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $67,843 to $87,429 with the average total cash compensation of $77,292.

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64770
76735

 

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Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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