How long does it take to become an editor?

Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do editors make?

The US median is $77,920 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an editor?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become an editor?

1,183 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become an editor

Arts, design, media & film · SOC 27-3041

$77,920US median pay, 2025

-1.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

7,900Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work as an editor

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Creative Writing	CIP 23.1302	423
Journalism	CIP 09.0401	362
Communication, General	CIP 09.0100	346
Mass Communication/Media Studies	CIP 09.0102	304
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing	CIP 23.1303	159
Writing, General	CIP 23.1301	100
Rhetoric and Composition	CIP 23.1304	84
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other	CIP 09.9999	68
General Literature	CIP 23.1401	58
Broadcast Journalism	CIP 09.0402	57
Business/Corporate Communications, General	CIP 52.0501	52
Technical and Scientific Communication	CIP 09.0908	25
Publishing	CIP 09.1001	22
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other	CIP 23.1399	15
Children's and Adolescent Literature	CIP 23.1405	8
Literature, Other	CIP 23.1499	6
Grantsmanship	CIP 52.0502	2
Business/Corporate Communications, Other	CIP 52.0599	1

See the 1,183 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an editor?: Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do editors make?: The US median is $77,920 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an editor?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become an editor?: 1,183 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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