Journalists’ salaries can vary widely, depending on factors such as their level of experience, the type of media outlet they work for, the size of the market they work in, and their job title. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts was $44,360 as of May 2020. This figure is based on data from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics program, which collects wage and employment data from a sample of employers in non-farm industries. However, this figure includes all journalists, including those working in radio, television, and print media, as well as those working for large and small media outlets.
Journalists who work for large, well-established media companies or who have a lot of experience may earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out or who work for smaller outlets. In addition, journalists who specialize in a particular area, such as business or politics, may also earn higher salaries than those who cover a more general beat. It’s worth noting that many journalists also receive additional income from sources such as freelance work, book royalties, or speaking fees.
The BLS also provides data on the median annual wages for journalists working in specific industries. For example, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for reporters and correspondents working in radio and television broadcasting was $41,480, while the median annual wage for those working in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishing was $45,260.
It’s worth noting that these figures represent median wages, which means that half of journalists earn more than the listed amount, while half earn less. The BLS also provides data on the highest and lowest 10% of wages in each industry. For reporters and correspondents working in radio and television broadcasting, the highest 10% earned more than $78,520 per year, while the lowest 10% earned less than $25,660.
In addition to the BLS, other sources of information on journalist salaries include salary databases, such as Glassdoor and PayScale, and professional organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). These organizations often conduct surveys of their members to gather data on salaries and other employment-related issues.
There are several other sources of information on journalist salaries that you may find helpful:
- Glassdoor is a website that allows employees to anonymously share information about their jobs, including their salaries. The website also provides salary data based on user-submitted information. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a journalist in the United States is $47,980 per year, as of September 2021.
- PayScale is a website that provides salary information based on user-submitted data. According to PayScale, the median salary for a journalist in the United States is $40,732 per year, as of September 2021.
- The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a professional organization for journalists in the United States. The organization conducts periodic surveys of its members to gather data on salaries and other employment-related issues. According to the SPJ’s 2020 Salary Survey, the median salary for journalists working in newsrooms was $47,000 per year.
- The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is a professional organization for journalists working in electronic news media. The organization conducts periodic surveys of its members to gather data on salaries and other employment-related issues. According to the RTDNA’s 2020-2021 Salary Survey, the median salary for journalists working in television news was $47,500 per year, while the median salary for those working in radio news was $40,000 per year.
It’s important to keep in mind that these figures are just estimates, and actual salaries may vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including the journalist’s level of experience, the type of media outlet they work for, and the size of the market they work in.
