Lexicographers
Overview
Introduction
Lexicographers research word usage and history, record citations, and write and edit entries for dictionaries. They are employed by major dictionary publishers and publishers of specialized dictionaries, such as medical, law, and foreign language dictionaries.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The earnings of lexicographers are comparable to other writers and editors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, mean annual earnings for salaried writers and authors who were employed by book, newspaper, periodical, and directory publishers were $73,740 in May 2023, and mean annual earnings for salaried editors who were employed by the aforementioned organizations were $78,500. Salaries ...
Work Environment
Lexicographers work in office settings or at home. They spend most of their time reading books, magazines, and other materials and working on their computers. Lexicographers who are employed by dictionary publishers usually work a standard 40-hour week. Freelance lexicographers have more flexible hours. They might work 12 hours one day, and only four the next day. Lexicographers may have to wor...
Outlook
Employment in book, newspaper, directory, and periodical publishing has declined rapidly in the past few decades. Despite this development, employment for experienced lexicographers should remain relatively stable over the next decade because the field is so small and publishers will still need the services of indexers. Lexicographers are important players in the creation and revision of dictio...
