Journalist salary
BLS occupation: News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists · also called reporter · Arts, design, media and sports · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,200 a year, US
Median hourly pay $29.91 an hour
Middle half earn $45,370–$98,450 25th to 75th percentile
Journalists employed 39,250 −5.9% projected by 2035
How much does a journalist make?
- The median journalist salary in the US is $62,200 a year ($29.91 an hour): half of the 39,250 journalists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $102,460.
- The middle half earn between $45,370 and $98,450. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $36,240 and the top 10% more than $144,140.
- That is 22% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays journalists the most (median $105,390), followed by New York ($100,770) and Georgia ($81,910). West Virginia pays the least ($35,280).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $95,895 in typical US prices, then New York and Georgia.
- In 14 of the 114 metro areas with data, the median journalist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of journalists to shrink 5.9% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what journalists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Journalist salary range
Half of journalists earn between $45,370 and $98,450 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $36,240
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $45,370
Median Yearly pay: $62,200
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $98,450
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $144,140
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $36,240 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $45,370 |
| Median | $62,200 |
| Top 25% earn over | $98,450 |
| Top 10% earn over | $144,140 |
Journalist salary by state
The District of Columbia pays journalists the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,200), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,390 median |
| New York | $100,770 median |
| Georgia | $81,910 median |
| Nevada | $78,550 median |
| Rhode Island | $74,570 median |
| Maryland | $63,680 median |
| Michigan | $62,760 median |
| Tennessee | $62,390 median |
| Virginia | $62,140 median |
| Utah | $61,880 median |
| Connecticut | $61,620 median |
| Colorado | $60,770 median |
| Illinois | $60,590 median |
| New Jersey | $59,830 median |
| Florida | $58,730 median |
| North Carolina | $58,670 median |
| Wisconsin | $57,530 median |
| Hawaii | $56,730 median |
| Delaware | $55,600 median |
| Washington | $54,760 median |
| New Mexico | $54,610 median |
| Idaho | $51,190 median |
| Louisiana | $50,750 median |
| Maine | $50,090 median |
| Oregon | $49,200 median |
| Texas | $48,470 median |
| New Hampshire | $48,450 median |
| Oklahoma | $48,210 median |
| Montana | $47,960 median |
| South Carolina | $47,940 median |
| Ohio | $47,880 median |
| Indiana | $47,610 median |
| Kentucky | $47,530 median |
| Vermont | $46,970 median |
| Missouri | $46,920 median |
| Minnesota | $46,490 median |
| Kansas | $45,870 median |
| Mississippi | $45,240 median |
| Alaska | $43,820 median |
| Iowa | $43,540 median |
| South Dakota | $43,520 median |
| Alabama | $43,440 median |
| North Dakota | $43,420 median |
| Arizona | $43,100 median |
| Nebraska | $40,420 median |
| Arkansas | $37,450 median |
| Wyoming | $36,040 median |
| West Virginia | $35,280 median |
Where journalist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Journalists' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $95,895 |
| New York | $93,374 |
| Georgia | $85,063 |
| Nevada | $78,566 |
| Rhode Island | $72,908 |
| Tennessee | $67,911 |
| Michigan | $65,228 |
| Utah | $62,591 |
| North Carolina | $62,199 |
| Virginia | $61,461 |
Journalist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,390 | $50.67 | $64,600 | $222,040 | 1,720 | $95,895 |
| New York | $100,770 | $48.45 | $49,500 | $327,640 | 5,750 | $93,374 |
| Georgia | $81,910 | $39.38 | $38,280 | $161,040 | 1,520 | $85,063 |
| Nevada | $78,550 | $37.76 | $46,000 | $126,150 | 370 | $78,566 |
| Rhode Island | $74,570 | $35.85 | $43,110 | $97,770 | 150 | $72,908 |
| Maryland | $63,680 | $30.62 | $40,880 | $125,710 | 580 | $60,671 |
| Michigan | $62,760 | $30.17 | $35,400 | $144,750 | 960 | $65,228 |
| Tennessee | $62,390 | $30.00 | $27,620 | $130,540 | 600 | $67,911 |
| Virginia | $62,140 | $29.88 | $39,270 | $134,080 | 1,110 | $61,461 |
| Utah | $61,880 | $29.75 | $39,360 | $129,720 | 240 | $62,591 |
| Connecticut | $61,620 | $29.63 | $45,000 | $210,770 | 470 | $59,473 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | $29.22 | $36,850 | $99,700 | 590 | $58,970 |
| Illinois | $60,590 | $29.13 | $36,680 | $140,620 | 1,060 | $60,615 |
| New Jersey | $59,830 | $28.76 | $34,770 | $106,320 | 500 | $54,988 |
| Florida | $58,730 | $28.24 | $39,380 | $122,560 | 2,490 | $56,791 |
| North Carolina | $58,670 | $28.21 | $32,280 | $101,970 | 930 | $62,199 |
| Wisconsin | $57,530 | $27.66 | $37,170 | $97,380 | 740 | $61,140 |
| Hawaii | $56,730 | $27.27 | $30,630 | $146,930 | 120 | $51,596 |
| Delaware | $55,600 | $26.73 | $36,560 | $145,070 | 70 | $55,707 |
| Washington | $54,760 | $26.33 | $39,160 | $125,750 | 880 | $51,171 |
| New Mexico | $54,610 | $26.25 | $36,800 | $118,910 | 170 | $59,222 |
| Idaho | $51,190 | $24.61 | $32,520 | $85,040 | 220 | $53,605 |
| Louisiana | $50,750 | $24.40 | $38,810 | $101,120 | 410 | $57,535 |
| Maine | $50,090 | $24.08 | $35,900 | $75,650 | 250 | $51,613 |
| Oregon | $49,200 | $23.65 | $32,280 | $88,260 | 410 | $47,600 |
| Texas | $48,470 | $23.30 | $28,990 | $95,830 | 2,670 | $49,940 |
| New Hampshire | $48,450 | $23.29 | $33,170 | $103,300 | 90 | $46,513 |
| Oklahoma | $48,210 | $23.18 | $29,260 | $93,360 | 400 | $54,882 |
| Montana | $47,960 | $23.06 | $34,120 | $73,320 | 290 | $50,674 |
| South Carolina | $47,940 | $23.05 | $37,070 | $109,330 | 480 | $51,137 |
| Ohio | $47,880 | $23.02 | $34,310 | $82,320 | 1,340 | $51,609 |
| Indiana | $47,610 | $22.89 | $31,970 | $100,780 | 530 | $51,013 |
| Kentucky | $47,530 | $22.85 | $29,320 | $103,670 | 370 | $52,718 |
| Vermont | $46,970 | $22.58 | $37,800 | $103,900 | 90 | $47,949 |
| Missouri | $46,920 | $22.56 | $29,550 | $82,220 | 480 | $51,664 |
| Minnesota | $46,490 | $22.35 | $33,890 | $65,510 | 510 | $47,140 |
| Kansas | $45,870 | $22.05 | $31,200 | $136,810 | 400 | $50,928 |
| Mississippi | $45,240 | $21.75 | $29,930 | $63,560 | 310 | $52,028 |
| Alaska | $43,820 | $21.07 | $38,310 | $78,680 | 90 | $42,810 |
| Iowa | $43,540 | $20.93 | $33,160 | $82,950 | 590 | $49,611 |
| South Dakota | $43,520 | $20.92 | $32,610 | $50,940 | 190 | $49,127 |
| Alabama | $43,440 | $20.88 | $31,540 | $88,610 | 530 | $48,906 |
| North Dakota | $43,420 | $20.88 | $39,000 | $82,090 | 160 | $48,809 |
| Arizona | $43,100 | $20.72 | $31,630 | $86,820 | 450 | $42,810 |
| Nebraska | $40,420 | $19.43 | $35,930 | $78,360 | 350 | $44,860 |
| Arkansas | $37,450 | $18.00 | $29,430 | $65,490 | 260 | $43,077 |
| Wyoming | $36,040 | $17.33 | $21,520 | $55,760 | 80 | $38,882 |
| West Virginia | $35,280 | $16.96 | $23,260 | $71,280 | 190 | $39,420 |
BLS does not publish pay for journalists in 3 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Journalist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes journalist pay: 114 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- New York, NY $101,670
- Washington, DC $101,020
- Atlanta, GA $85,040
- Las Vegas, NV $81,640
- Sacramento, CA $80,000
- Salt Lake City, UT $79,760
- Detroit, MI $77,180
- San Jose, CA $76,450
- Denver, CO $74,290
- Chicago, IL $70,350
Where the pay goes furthest
- Washington, DC $92,778
- New York, NY $90,323
- Atlanta, GA $84,991
- Las Vegas, NV $81,465
- Salt Lake City, UT $79,074
- Detroit, MI $76,951
- Sacramento, CA $74,998
- Denver, CO $70,229
- San Jose, CA $69,234
- Buffalo, NY $68,184
All 114 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $101,670 | 5,360 | $90,323 | 42% |
| Washington, DC | $101,020 | 2,390 | $92,778 | 29% |
| Atlanta, GA | $85,040 | 1,090 | $84,991 | 26% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $81,640 | 300 | $81,465 | 25% |
| Sacramento, CA | $80,000 | 220 | $74,998 | 34% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $79,760 | 190 | $79,074 | 25% |
| Detroit, MI | $77,180 | 470 | $76,951 | 24% |
| San Jose, CA | $76,450 | 160 | $69,234 | 60% |
| Denver, CO | $74,290 | 340 | $70,229 | 31% |
| Chicago, IL | $70,350 | 660 | $67,909 | 37% |
| Baltimore, MD | $69,740 | 230 | $66,745 | 33% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,850 | 60 | $67,258 | 34% |
| Riverside, CA | $66,780 | 100 | $62,738 | 46% |
| Tampa, FL | $66,440 | 370 | $65,854 | 36% |
| Miami, FL | $65,610 | 840 | $57,474 | 49% |
| Buffalo, NY | $65,350 | 100 | $68,184 | 27% |
| Manchester, NH | $64,930 | 40 | $61,454 | 40% |
| Orlando, FL | $64,320 | 290 | $63,421 | 36% |
| Austin, TX | $63,940 | 340 | $65,201 | 30% |
| San Diego, CA | $63,810 | 200 | $57,031 | 56% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $63,690 | 460 | $62,104 | 36% |
| Providence, RI | $63,430 | 170 | $62,325 | 41% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $63,050 | 250 | $65,042 | 29% |
| Nashville, TN | $62,770 | 250 | $65,156 | 34% |
| Boston, MA | $62,750 | 550 | $57,959 | 57% |
| Memphis, TN | $62,560 | 90 | $67,868 | 27% |
| Reno, NV | $62,060 | 60 | $61,437 | 40% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $61,830 | 40 | $61,287 | 35% |
| Hartford, CT | $61,620 | 140 | $59,973 | 39% |
| Charlotte, NC | $61,360 | 360 | $63,032 | 34% |
| Knoxville, TN | $61,020 | 110 | $65,918 | 34% |
| Madison, WI | $60,780 | 160 | $62,475 | 35% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,620 | 220 | $63,346 | 30% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $60,600 | 70 | $60,175 | 35% |
| Louisville, KY | $60,150 | 150 | $64,626 | 27% |
| Albany, NY | $60,100 | 100 | $60,362 | 34% |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,950 | 160 | $61,076 | 33% |
| Tulsa, OK | $59,580 | 120 | $66,783 | 28% |
| Seattle, WA | $59,340 | 500 | $53,395 | 46% |
| Savannah, GA | $58,690 | 50 | $61,645 | 36% |
| Rochester, NY | $58,180 | 90 | $59,958 | 32% |
| Evansville, IN | $58,110 | 30 | $63,489 | 23% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $57,820 | 120 | $56,493 | 38% |
| Bozeman, MT | $57,600 | 30 | $56,190 | 46% |
| Green Bay, WI | $57,490 | 70 | $61,760 | 23% |
| Boise, ID | $57,060 | 80 | $57,993 | 40% |
| Syracuse, NY | $57,060 | 90 | $59,598 | 34% |
| Richmond, VA | $56,910 | 120 | $58,156 | 36% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $56,890 | 390 | $57,185 | 35% |
| Honolulu, HI | $56,730 | 110 | $51,126 | 64% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $56,270 | 40 | $59,913 | 31% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $56,190 | 90 | $58,809 | 32% |
| Dallas, TX | $56,000 | 570 | $54,321 | 36% |
| Roanoke, VA | $55,820 | 60 | $59,625 | 30% |
| North Port, FL | $55,360 | 80 | $54,054 | 46% |
| Missoula, MT | $55,010 | 50 | $57,038 | 35% |
| Des Moines, IA | $54,230 | 120 | $59,138 | 28% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $53,780 | 300 | $56,391 | 34% |
| Peoria, IL | $53,540 | 60 | $58,686 | 26% |
| New Orleans, LA | $53,100 | 130 | $57,345 | 36% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $51,630 | 140 | $57,108 | 32% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $51,310 | 40 | $51,752 | 48% |
| Lansing, MI | $50,400 | 90 | $53,058 | 31% |
| Portland, ME | $50,390 | 130 | $49,471 | 55% |
| Houston, TX | $50,300 | 470 | $50,999 | 39% |
| Anchorage, AK | $50,070 | 40 | $47,496 | 45% |
| Gainesville, FL | $49,970 | 50 | $51,658 | 39% |
| St. Louis, MO | $49,920 | 160 | $52,499 | 34% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $49,870 | 130 | $54,935 | 33% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $49,680 | 280 | $47,395 | 42% |
| Columbia, SC | $49,450 | 80 | $52,796 | 38% |
| Lancaster, PA | $49,220 | 90 | $50,093 | 38% |
| Bangor, ME | $49,100 | 40 | $50,877 | 37% |
| Columbus, OH | $49,030 | 210 | $51,357 | 37% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,990 | 80 | $55,068 | 30% |
| El Paso, TX | $48,880 | 70 | $54,364 | 37% |
| Cleveland, OH | $48,660 | 310 | $51,808 | 36% |
| Toledo, OH | $48,650 | 80 | $53,196 | 31% |
| Kansas City, MO | $48,490 | 290 | $52,397 | 38% |
| Sioux City, IA | $48,330 | 30 | $55,903 | 32% |
| Charleston, SC | $48,020 | 130 | $47,562 | 51% |
| Jackson, MS | $47,990 | 130 | $53,892 | 37% |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,940 | 30 | $54,971 | 35% |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,650 | 180 | $50,308 | 36% |
| Spokane, WA | $47,630 | 110 | $47,466 | 38% |
| Waco, TX | $47,520 | 60 | $51,345 | 36% |
| Billings, MT | $47,350 | 60 | $50,628 | 35% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $47,320 | 110 | $49,526 | 41% |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,260 | 180 | $51,569 | 36% |
| Greensboro, NC | $47,200 | 80 | $50,826 | 36% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $47,160 | 260 | $48,151 | 48% |
| Omaha, NE | $47,020 | 90 | $51,158 | 36% |
| Augusta, GA | $46,510 | 90 | $50,608 | 38% |
| Montgomery, AL | $45,900 | 60 | $51,181 | 36% |
| Akron, OH | $45,640 | 30 | $48,881 | 34% |
| Canton, OH | $45,510 | 30 | $50,903 | 30% |
| Rapid City, SD | $45,230 | 30 | $50,729 | 39% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $44,260 | 60 | $47,760 | 39% |
| Bend, OR | $44,150 | 40 | $42,613 | 60% |
| Eugene, OR | $43,470 | 50 | $42,799 | 49% |
| Lubbock, TX | $43,310 | 70 | $47,428 | 37% |
| Tyler, TX | $43,160 | 80 | $46,834 | 37% |
| College Station, TX | $43,040 | 40 | $47,322 | 42% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $41,870 | 210 | $40,526 | 49% |
| Lincoln, NE | $41,550 | 100 | $45,370 | 37% |
| Beaumont, TX | $41,470 | 40 | $46,054 | 38% |
| Panama City, FL | $41,470 | 30 | $42,623 | 50% |
| Wichita, KS | $40,440 | 70 | $45,466 | 36% |
| Worcester, MA | $40,190 | 30 | $39,201 | 63% |
| McAllen, TX | $39,860 | 40 | $46,405 | 34% |
| Wilmington, NC | $39,800 | 60 | $41,277 | 53% |
| Little Rock, AR | $37,750 | 90 | $42,243 | 39% |
| Gulfport, MS | $36,670 | 40 | $40,742 | 47% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $34,570 | 60 | $37,842 | 55% |
What the median journalist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,200 |
| Month | $5,183 |
| Every two weeks | $2,392 |
| Week | $1,196 |
| Hour | $29.91 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a journalist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −5.9% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,400 |
| Self-employed | 16.8% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Interior designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree |
| Graphic designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma |
| Court reporter | $72,420 | Postsecondary certificate |
Questions about journalist pay
How much does a journalist make an hour?
The median is $29.91 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $17.42 and the top 10% over $69.30.
How much does a journalist make a month?
About $5,183 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,200, or $2,392 every two weeks.
What state pays journalists the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $105,390. New York ($100,770), Georgia ($81,910), Nevada ($78,550) and Rhode Island ($74,570) follow.
Where do journalists make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $105,390 is worth $95,895 at typical US prices. New York, Georgia and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level journalists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of journalists earn under $36,240 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $45,370, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a journalist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 27-3023 (News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.