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Editor Average Salary 

Anusmita Bhatta's profile picture

Updated on Jul 18, 2025

Anusmita Bhatta

In India, an editor with a Master degree in English Language and Literature can get a starting monthly salary that ranges between INR 29,000 and INR 31,000, an entry level annual package of INR 3 to 4 lakh. Editors become very significant in improving the quality of content in media outlets where they revise and improve the written works considering clarity as well as coherence.

 

The salary of an editor rises largely with the experience and an average of five years experience leads to an average of INR 4 to 6 lakh per annum. In big cities and good companies the senior editors and the chief sub-editors can get up to INR 12 lakh annually or even more. The incomes increase with the level of skills, experience and profile of the employer hence editing is a profitable field that can be taken by an MA English graduate.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Editor Salary after Experience
  2. Editor Salary after Different Level of Study
  3. Editor Salary as per Designation
  4. Editor Salary in Some Top Cities
  5. Editor Salary in Abroad Countries
  6. Skills Acquired after MA in English Language and Literature
  7. FAQs

 

Editor Salary after Experience

The remuneration of an Editor grows progressively with the number of years of experience within the publishing houses, media organizations, content agencies, and corporate communication sections.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Editorial Assistant

0 - 1 year

INR 2.5 - 4 LPA

Junior Editor

1 - 2 years

INR 4 - 6 LPA

Associate Editor

2 - 4 years

INR 5 - 7.5 LPA

Editor

4 - 6 years

INR 6 - 9 LPA

Senior Editor

6 - 10 years

INR 9 - 12 LPA

Managing Editor

10+ years

INR 12 - 18 LPA

Editor-in-Chief

12+ years

INR 15 - 25 LPA

Explore more: BA English Language and English Literature

 

Editor Salary after Different Level of Study

An increase in academic qualification opens the way to editorial positions in prestigious journals, institutions of higher learning, or countries such as the United States with large publishing firms.

Job Role

Experience Required

Education Level Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Editorial Assistant

0 - 1 year

BA English

INR 2.5 - 4 LPA

Junior Editor

1 - 2 years

MA English

INR 4 - 6 LPA

Content Editor

2 - 3 years

MA English + Certificate Course

INR 5 - 7 LPA

Academic Editor

3 - 5 years

MA + M.Phil/PhD in English

INR 6 - 9 LPA

Managing Editor

10+ years

MA + Industry Experience

INR 12 - 18 LPA

 

Editor Salary as per Designation

Variations in salaries paid to different editorial positions within the content and publishing industry are based on the level of complexity and responsibility.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Proofreader

0 - 1 year

INR 2 - 3.5 LPA

Copy Editor

1 - 2 years

INR 3.5 - 5.5 LPA

Content Editor

2 - 3 years

INR 5 - 7 LPA

Sub Editor

2 - 4 years

INR 5 - 7.5 LPA

Web Content Editor

3 - 5 years

INR 6 - 9 LPA

Senior Editor

5 - 10 years

INR 9 - 12 LPA

Managing Editor

10+ years

INR 12 - 18 LPA

Editor-in-Chief

12+ years

INR 15 - 25 LPA

 

Editor Salary in Some Top Cities

The city where you work may also have the potential to affect salary because of cost of living, media demands, and the presence of company Head Quarters.

Job Role

City

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Junior Editor

Mumbai

0 - 2 years

INR 4 - 6 LPA

Copy Editor

Delhi NCR

2 - 3 years

INR 5 - 7 LPA

Content Editor

Bangalore

3 - 5 years

INR 6 - 8 LPA

Web Editor

Hyderabad

3 - 5 years

INR 5.5 - 7.5 LPA

Associate Editor

Chennai

4 - 6 years

INR 6 - 8.5 LPA

Senior Editor

Pune

6 - 10 years

INR 8 - 11 LPA

Managing Editor

Kolkata

10+ years

INR 10 - 15 LPA

 

Editor Salary in Abroad Countries

MA in English graduates who shift to editing have the option of working in publishing, journalism or corporate contents in companies worldwide, and the pay may be competitive.

Job Role

Country

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Editorial Assistant

USA

0 - 1 year

USD 40,000 - 55,000

Copy Editor

Canada

1 - 2 years

CAD 45,000 - 60,000

Web Content Editor

Australia

2 - 3 years

AUD 60,000 - 75,000

Associate Editor

UK

3 - 5 years

GBP 35,000 - 45,000

Senior Editor

Germany

5 - 10 years

EUR 55,000 - 70,000

Managing Editor

USA

10+ years

USD 75,000 - 110,000

Editor-in-Chief

Canada

10+ years

CAD 90,000 - 120,000

Content Director

Australia

10+ years

AUD 100,000 - 140,000

Academic Editor

UK

5 - 10 years

GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Communications Lead

Germany

10+ years

EUR 70,000 - 95,000

 

Skills Acquired after MA in English Language and Literature

Successful graduates of an MA English Language and Literature are well furnished with varied skills that can make them efficient in pursuing a career involving lots of communication skills as may be required in editing. The following are some of the skills that one gets by graduating from MA English Language and Literature:

  • Professional Communication Skills - The graduates develop salient communication skills at all demographics, be it written or verbal in nature, and is the key skill that is developed in the field of communication.
  • Critical Analysis and Literary Interpretation - They grow to be sound analysts as they carefully analyze texts giving them the ability to be critical in evaluating the content in terms of coherence, style, and accuracy.
  • Research Proficient - MA English students learn to carry thorough research work, to work with secondary sources, to synthesize information which can be used in supporting content development and edit judgment.
  • Improved Word Knowledge and Writing - The program expands the word knowledge and polishes the writing skills so that the students can write good, exciting, and grammatically perfect texts.
  • Time management and organizational skills - Extensive reading, writing, and projects help to develop discipline and the ability to meet deadlines, which are essential skills required in editors who must work against publication schedules.
  • Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills - The discussions and group project assignments will help graduates negotiate, listen, and cooperate with writers, authors and other interested parties in the publishing process.

 

FAQs

What are the greatest determinants of salary as an editor with an MA in English Language and Literature?

Factors that matter: Industry experience and reputation, Place of work (best pay is in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore), Nature and size of employer (media houses and multi national companies pay higher salaries as compared to small presses), Talented niche (working with digital content, leading editorial teams and proficiency in editorial packages).

How do freelance editors get paid in comparison to in-house editorial jobs?

Freelance editors can get an annual income ranging between INR 3 lakh and above INR 15 lakh. Extremely successful freelancers or consultants who have well-established networks and niche experience (legal, technical, academic or digital editing) may earn even more than becoming regular in-house employees, but working hours are less predictable.

Are there noticeable pay differences for editors with an MA in English Language and Literature working in publishing versus digital media?

Digital media, technology, and corporate publishing (such as MNCs or big e-commerce companies) can facilitate better payment of salaries and performance bonuses than a more traditional book/magazine publishing. Junior and middle levels of work in the digital media sector range between INR 4-6 lakhs a year with a higher growth rate.

Do editors make higher / lower earnings by virtue of gender, higher degrees, or having worked in a foreign country?

The existence of gender pay gaps is not a new phenomenon, however paid gaps are decreasing in urbanized cities. Remunerations in professional newspapers are highly variable depending on the qualifications of the editor (along with a combination of skills which might include PG Diploma in Journalism, certification in editing/publishing, and overseas fellowships). Such editors are likely to negotiate a raise of 20-40 percent.

How much can the top editors with MA in English Language and Literature earn in India?

Salaries paid to in-house editors result in the highest figure of anything over INR 50 lakhs per year but very less of them reach this benchmark. The highest paid editors earn on a regular basis more than INR 25 lakh per annum, often at large multinational/ high-profile publishing houses.

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