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Editorial Illustration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aceable

LX Editorial Content Manager

Austin, TX · On-site +1

Collaborate with designers on content creation, including infographics, scenario illustrations, and study guides * Help onboard new content managers by modeling editorial standards and providing ...

Aceable

LX Editorial Content Manager

Austin, TX · On-site +1

Collaborate with designers on content creation, including infographics, scenario illustrations, and study guides * Help onboard new content managers by modeling editorial standards and providing ...

Aceable

LX Editorial Content Manager

Austin, TX

Collaborate with designers on content creation, including infographics, scenario illustrations, and study guides * Help onboard new content managers by modeling editorial standards and providing ...

Surya Inc

MARKETING AND EDITORIAL COPYWRITER

White, GA · On-site

MARKETING AND EDITORIAL COPYWRITER About Surya Inc. Surya Inc. is an innovative home furnishings ... Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator) preferred * Detail and ...

The Banner

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD · On-site

Art direct illustrations and create photo illustrations when needed. * Support the Director of Visuals in maintaining visual standards, workflow systems and consistent editorial practices across the ...

The Banner

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD

Art direct illustrations and create photo illustrations when needed. * Support the Director of Visuals in maintaining visual standards, workflow systems and consistent editorial practices across the ...

Lola Blankets

Brand Designer

New York, NY · On-site

This role sits at the intersection of design and illustration - bringing our editorial, elevated aesthetic to everything from packaging and campaign visuals to eCommerce and social. Reporting to the ...

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Editorial Illustration information

See salary details

$29.5K

$50.3K

$76K

How much do editorial illustration jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for editorial illustration in the United States is $50,294.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $52,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is editorial illustration?

Editorial illustration refers to artwork created specifically to accompany and enhance written content in publications such as magazines, newspapers, and online articles. These illustrations help visually communicate the message, tone, or theme of an article, often providing commentary or adding emotional impact. Editorial illustrators work closely with editors and art directors to ensure their images align with the story and audience. Unlike commercial illustration, which focuses on selling products, editorial illustration aims to inform, provoke thought, or entertain readers through visual storytelling.

What are editorial illustration jobs?

Editorial illustration jobs allow you to use your artistic abilities to make a living. In this career, you work for a newspaper or magazine and create visual content for their publications. Your responsibilities are to draw illustrations and design a layout to fit your work into the written content. Each sketch should follow the content in theme or messaging. Your duties require you to be creative, but you must also be able to work in tandem with editorial teams. You must get your work approved by the art director. You do most of your work in software like Adobe Illustrator.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an editorial illustrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Editorial Illustrator, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of visual storytelling, and proficiency with illustration fundamentals, often supported by a degree in illustration or a related field. Familiarity with digital illustration software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is typically required, along with experience in publishing workflows. Creativity, adaptability, and the ability to interpret complex ideas visually are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing compelling, communicative artwork that effectively supports editorial content and engages readers.

What are some common challenges editorial illustrators face when working with editorial teams?

Editorial illustrators often navigate tight deadlines and the need to quickly interpret complex stories or concepts visually. They must balance their creative vision with the editorial direction, ensuring that their artwork aligns with the publication’s tone and message. Collaboration and clear communication with editors, art directors, and writers are essential, as feedback cycles can be fast-paced and require flexibility. Successfully managing these aspects is key to producing impactful illustrations that enhance the reader's experience.

What is the difference between Editorial Illustration vs Book Illustration?

AspectEditorial IllustrationBook Illustration
PurposeTo accompany articles, essays, or editorial content in magazines, newspapers, or online mediaTo visually interpret and enhance the narrative of a book or story
Work EnvironmentFreelance or staff in media, publishing, or advertising agenciesTypically freelance or employed by publishers or authors
Required SkillsStrong conceptual skills, quick turnaround, adaptability to editorial themesStorytelling ability, detailed illustration skills, consistency across pages

Editorial Illustration and Book Illustration both involve creating visual art, but they serve different purposes. Editorial illustrations focus on complementing articles and are often produced quickly for media outlets, while book illustrations aim to bring stories to life with detailed visuals. Understanding these differences helps artists target their skills and clients effectively.

How much do editorial illustrators make?

Editorial illustrators typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of assignments. Freelance illustrators may charge per project or hour, with rates varying widely based on skill level and reputation.

What does an editorial illustrator do?

An editorial illustrator creates visual images to accompany articles, essays, or opinion pieces in newspapers, magazines, or online publications. They interpret written content through drawings, digital art, or sketches, often using tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, to communicate ideas and enhance storytelling.
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Editorial Illustration jobs near you
Infographic showing various Editorial Illustration job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,294 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Creative Director, Editorial

The Atlantic

Washington, DC

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

The Atlantic is seeking a Creative Director to oversee visual direction and brand expression across all editorial platforms-including the print magazine, website and app, podcasts, video, and live events. The Creative Director will manage The Atlantic's art department, and lead the team's work on design, illustration, and photography across The Atlantic's journalism.

The ideal candidate will be highly collaborative, an ambitious design mind, and able to think big while maintaining attention to detail. Their work should elevate The Atlantic's visual identity while maintaining its core sensibility and spirit.

Qualifications of the ideal candidate:

  • Demonstrated talent for leadership, including creative vision, people-management experience, and the ability to both identify and execute against goals

  • Astute design and journalistic sense, and facility with both conceptual and reportorial work

  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively under deadlines and to manage concurrent projects

  • Established relationships with photographers, illustrators, and other artists, and a keen eye for emerging talent

  • Adaptability to change and grace under pressure

  • Clear communication skills and a collaborative spirit

  • Energized by a fast-paced and intensely demanding creative environment

  • Expertise with Adobe Creative tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign/K4

This position is based in New York City or Washington, D.C.

Salary minimum: $200,000; Salary maximum: $275,000

About The Atlantic:

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

_____________

The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer.The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encouragesmembers of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women,LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities.We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. TheAtlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

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