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Photo Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: San Francisco, CA Staff Editor-WIRED WIRED is seeking a staff editor for our newsroom ... Coordinate with other WIRED teams on all aspects of the story process, partnering with photo/art on ...

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Location: San Francisco, CA Staff Editor-WIRED WIRED is seeking a staff editor for our newsroom ... Coordinate with other WIRED teams on all aspects of the story process, partnering with photo/art on ...

Make visually engaging montages, photo illustrations, and slideshows * Monitor live streams and ... Photo editing experience preferred; video editing experience a plus * Strong organizational and ...

The Photo & Video Producer manages the daily operational logistics-including budgets-for ... video editing, motion graphics, and vendor approvals. The Producer also works closely with the ...

ROLE OVERVIEW Reporting to the Postproduction Manager, the Photo Retoucher is responsible for editing a high volume of eCommerce product images, shot daily in our photo studio. You will oversee ...

ROLE OVERVIEW Reporting to the Postproduction Manager, the Photo Retoucher is responsible for editing a high volume of eCommerce product images, shot daily in our photo studio. You will oversee ...

Ensure final images selected from the photo shoots best showcase our brand and products * High ... Keen eye for details and understanding of retouching/editing photos, and styling * Ability to meet ...

As a Temporary Social Media Editor for HOT ROD, you'll create compelling content that fuels ... Capture, edit, and produce engaging photo and video content using industry-standard multimedia ...

As a Temporary Social Media Editor for HOT ROD, you'll create compelling content that fuels ... Capture, edit, and produce engaging photo and video content using industry-standard multimedia ...

Ensure final images selected from the photo shoots best showcase our brand and products * High ... Keen eye for details and understanding of retouching/editing photos, and styling * Ability to meet ...

As a Temporary Social Media Editor for HOT ROD, you'll create compelling content that fuels ... Capture, edit, and produce engaging photo and video content using industry-standard multimedia ...

As a Temporary Social Media Editor for HOT ROD, you'll create compelling content that fuels ... Capture, edit, and produce engaging photo and video content using industry-standard multimedia ...

As a Temporary Social Media Editor for HOT ROD, you'll create compelling content that fuels ... Capture, edit, and produce engaging photo and video content using industry-standard multimedia ...

$95K - $120K/yr

They should have both high level copy editing experience as well as an innate understanding of ... Coordinating closely with departments such as photo, video, and audience development. Requirements:

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Photo Editor information

See California salary details

$5

$21

$37

How much do photo editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for photo editor in California is $21.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is photo editing a good side hustle?

Photo editing can be a viable side hustle for those skilled in software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, offering flexible hours and the potential for additional income. Success depends on building a client base, maintaining quality work, and managing time effectively alongside other commitments.

What does a photo editor do?

A photo editor is responsible for selecting, editing, and enhancing images to meet the needs of publications, brands, or clients. Their work often involves adjusting color, cropping, retouching, and ensuring images align with the intended message or aesthetic. Photo editors may also coordinate with photographers, oversee photo shoots, and manage image databases. The role requires both technical skills with editing software and a creative eye for visual storytelling.

What are some common challenges faced by Photo Editors when working with a diverse range of photographers and clients?

Photo Editors often encounter the challenge of balancing creative vision with client expectations, especially when working with photographers who have distinct artistic styles. Effective communication is crucial to ensure that the final images align with both the publication's brand and the client's needs. Additionally, managing tight deadlines and coordinating feedback from multiple stakeholders can require strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Building trust and fostering collaboration with photographers and clients helps streamline the editing process and achieve the desired results.

What Does a Photo Editor Do?

As a Photo Editor, you may find yourself working in a wide variety of industries, including news, book publishing, advertising, website development, and the arts. You may be asked to airbrush photos for advertising or select and edit images to go with a story. You may work with photographers to discuss the objectives of a project and collaborate to achieve it.

How to get work as a photo editor?

To work as a photo editor, build a strong portfolio showcasing your editing skills using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Gain experience through internships, freelance projects, or online courses, and consider networking with photographers and media companies to find job opportunities.

How much do photo editors earn?

Photo editors' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual wage in the United States is around $50,000 to $70,000. Experienced editors with advanced skills in software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom can earn higher salaries, especially in media, advertising, or freelance work.

Is editor a high paying job?

A photo editor's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but it is generally considered a mid-range profession. Experienced photo editors working in major markets or for large media companies can earn higher salaries, especially with specialized skills in editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Entry-level positions tend to have lower pay, while senior roles or freelance work can be more lucrative.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Photo Editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Photo Editor, you need a strong eye for visual composition, attention to detail, and proficiency in digital editing, often supported by a degree in photography, design, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and other image management systems is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure high-quality visual content, efficient workflow, and alignment with client or publication standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Photo Editor jobs in California? The most popular types of Photo Editor jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Photo Editor jobs in California? For Photo Editor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Photo Editor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Photo Editor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Photo Editor jobs? Cities in California with the most Photo Editor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Photo Editor jobs in CA? For Photo Editor jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Photo Editor job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Part Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,376 per year, or $21.8 per hour.
Staff Editor

$80K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity's biggest challenges, from climate change to global security, from pandemic preparedness to the future of democracy, and tell stories of the people trying to solve these challenges and the role science and technology can play-for good or ill. WIRED reaches more than 30 million people each month through WIRED.com, our digital edition, the magazine, social media, and live events.Job Description

Location:

San Francisco, CA

Staff Editor-WIRED

WIRED is seeking a staff editor for our newsroom. Reporting to WIRED's senior director, science, politics, and security, you'll work with an experienced team of reporters and editors to edit stories from multiple desks and manage syndications from international WIRED brands.

In this role, you'll be responsible for editing a variety of stories, anything from breaking news about a ransomware incident to an embargoed biotech breakthrough. We're looking for an editor with experience covering one of WIRED's core coverage areas and an interest in the broad range of what we report on. In this role you'll also be responsible for editing translated stories from WIRED's international counterparts and seeing them through our production process.

Our priority is ambitious, impactful work. That can take many forms: a major scoop, a deeply reported investigation, timely analysis, a special project. You should be comfortable with editing these types of stories, and especially the iterative news coverage that fuels them.

To be successful in this position you should have a good eye for surprising angles on stories and the ability to spot the wider significance of a new development. You should also be a sharp line editor, good at structuring an argument and eliminating jargon. You should be a polymath, not just able but eager to immerse yourself in a broad range of topics.

You'll need to be able to prioritize your time and collaborate with colleagues in San Francisco, New York, London, and points between. You'll work closely not only with the science, politics, and security desks, but also collaborate with other desks as coverage demands. You'll also collaborate frequently with WIRED's digital video team to execute cross-platform coverage that brings the best of WIRED to platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.

This role can be based out of our New York City or San Francisco offices.

This is a Guild position.

Primary/Ongoing Responsibilities:

  • Edit stories from across the WIRED newsroom depending on need.

  • Edit stories syndicated from WIRED's international brands to make sure they align with our editorial style and standards.

  • Work with external partners to identify stories for syndication, and bring those through our production process.

  • Work with WIRED's director, science, politics, and security on various tasks that elevate our coverage, including but not limited to filing FOIA requests, coordinating with freelance contributors, and more.

  • Proactively seek out interesting, diverse voices who can help WIRED deliver differentiated business coverage.

  • Coordinate with other WIRED teams on all aspects of the story process, partnering with photo/art on visuals and design; answering fact-checking and copy queries; seeing stories through production processes; and partnering with social and/or video to ensure stories have maximum impact.

  • Contribute to brand extensions, social platforms, and additional projects as needed.

  • Represent the brand in a public-facing way as necessary, such as on social media, in press opportunities, panels and speaking engagements, and internal company presentations.

  • Additional projects/stories as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

  • At least 2 years of experience as an editor in a fast paced, digital and news-driven environment

  • A past portfolio of work that reflects significant experience covering the tech industry, cybersecurity, science, or another core area of WIRED coverage, including a consistent record of breaking news

  • Experience overseeing multi-platform content from brainstorm to execution; the ability to balance daily deadlines with longer-lead projects

  • Experience and passion for delivering big, ambitious coverage, particularly around Big Tech, climate, and other core areas of focus

  • Highly collaborative with excellent communication skills; adept at working with a diverse team of fact checkers, copy editors, designers, photo editors, digital producers, social media producers and story editors

  • Excellent time management and prioritization skills

The expected base salary range for this position is from $80,000 - $105,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, and education.

What happens next?

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply below, and we will review your application as soon as possible. You can update your resume or upload a cover letter at any time by accessing your candidate profile.

Conde Nast is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics.