How Much Does a Journalist Make in 2025?
A journalist investigates, writes, and reports news stories to inform the public about events, politics, and the world around them. As media evolves, journalists must adapt to various types of platforms, including print, digital, video, and audio, to stay relevant in a competitive job market. The demand for skilled news analysts, reporters, and editors remains steady, though some traditional journalism roles face challenges as industries shrink or change.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to decline 4 percent growth for news analysts, reporters, and journalists from 2024 to 2034. Even with overall employment expected to decline, an estimated 4,100 job openings for news analysts, reporters, and journalists are projected each year on average throughout the decade.
Journalist salaries in 2025 remain competitive, reflecting the career's importance. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a journalist in the United States is $61,816 per year, or $30 per hour, as of September 1, 2025. Salaries vary based on experience, location, education, and skills, which we'll explore in this article.
What is the Average Journalist's Salary?
The average journalist salary in the United States is $61,816 per year, or $30 per hour, as of September 1, 2025. For the hourly wage, journalists earn between $25 and $36 per hour, depending on their role and expertise.
2025 Journalist Average Salary: $61,816 per year ($30 per hour)
The average weekly and monthly salaries for journalists are $1,189 and $5,151, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Journalist?
According to Salary.com, the journalist salary range starts at $51,442 and can reach as high as $75,587 per year, with most earnings falling between $56,386 and $69,024 per year.
Journalist Salary Range: $51,442 to $75,587 per year ($25 to $36 per hour)
| Percentile | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25 | $989 | $4,287 | $51,442 |
| 25th | $27 | $1,084 | $4,699 | $56,386 |
| 50th (Median) | $30 | $1,189 | $5,151 | $61,816 |
| 75th | $33 | $1,327 | $5,752 | $69,024 |
| 90th | $36 | $1,454 | $6,299 | $75,587 |
However, the salary range for journalists varies based on factors like education, experience, state, and specialized skills, as discussed below.
Journalist Salary Factors
Several factors influence a journalist's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below, we break down how these factors shape earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for journalists increases with experience, reflecting their ability to prepare compelling stories and deliver them on air or in print. Salaries range from $60,006 for entry-level reporters to $65,550 for those with over eight years of experience.
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Journalist | < 1 year | $60,006 |
| Intermediate-Level Journalist | 1-2 years | $60,988 |
| Senior-Level Journalist | 2-4 years | $62,877 |
| Specialist-Level Journalist | 5-8 years | $65,337 |
| Expert-Level Journalist | 8+ years | $65,550 |
Place of Work
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't provide specific data for journalists but categorizes them under news analysts, reporters, and journalists, with media and communications roles offering a close perspective. Salaries vary by industry, with media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers and television broadcasting stations often among the highest paying.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers | $77,460 |
| Television broadcasting stations | $65,670 |
| Radio broadcasting stations | $56,230 |
| Newspaper publishers | $46,640 |
Journalists in advertising and digital media earn the most, while those in government or educational services typically earn less. The demand for video editors and audio specialists within media further boosts salaries in certain industries.
Skill Set
Journalists with in-demand skills can significantly increase their salaries. According to a Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, skills like fact-checking and social media management are highly valued in the job market.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Fact-Checking | 10.20% | +14.98% |
| Copyediting | 10.60% | +13.22% |
| Content Editing | 10.40% | +13.22% |
| Social Media Management | 10.30% | +13.22% |
| Writing Style Guides | 10.50% | +12.16% |
| Content Marketing | 10.50% | +12.05% |
Journalist Salary by City and State
The state or city where a journalist works significantly affects their salary, reflecting local media demand and cost of living. This data is critical for journalists planning their careers or negotiating pay.
Highest Paying States for Journalists
Salary.com data shows the District of Columbia offers the highest paying journalist salary at $68,444 per year, followed by California at $68,185.
- District of Columbia: $68,444 ($33 per hour)
- California: $68,185 ($33 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $67,276 ($32 per hour)
- New Jersey: $67,004 ($32 per hour)
- Washington: $67,028 ($32 per hour)
Journalist Salary by State/Territory
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,917 |
| Alabama | $56,790 |
| Arkansas | $55,844 |
| Arizona | $60,234 |
| California | $68,185 |
| Colorado | $63,072 |
| Connecticut | $66,064 |
| District of Columbia | $68,444 |
| Delaware | $62,602 |
| Florida | $58,490 |
| Georgia | $59,622 |
| Hawaii | $64,611 |
| Iowa | $59,158 |
| Idaho | $57,705 |
| Illinois | $63,010 |
| Indiana | $59,337 |
| Kansas | $58,861 |
| Kentucky | $58,169 |
| Louisiana | $58,775 |
| Massachusetts | $67,276 |
| Maryland | $63,739 |
| Maine | $60,271 |
| Michigan | $60,877 |
| Minnesota | $63,257 |
| Missouri | $58,731 |
| Mississippi | $55,127 |
| Montana | $58,360 |
| North Carolina | $58,744 |
| North Dakota | $61,062 |
| Nebraska | $58,237 |
| New Hampshire | $62,493 |
| New Jersey | $67,004 |
| New Mexico | $57,254 |
| Nevada | $61,180 |
| New York | $65,718 |
| Ohio | $60,190 |
| Oklahoma | $57,155 |
| Oregon | $62,775 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,538 |
| Rhode Island | $64,092 |
| South Carolina | $57,921 |
| South Dakota | $56,178 |
| Tennessee | $57,767 |
| Texas | $60,296 |
| Utah | $59,195 |
| Virginia | $62,249 |
| Vermont | $60,673 |
| Washington | $67,028 |
| Wisconsin | $60,809 |
| West Virginia | $55,665 |
| Wyoming | $59,282 |
Highest Paying Cities for Journalists
Salary.com data indicates that San Jose, California, offers the highest paying journalist salary at $77,972 per year, or $37 per hour. Other top highest paying cities include:
- San Jose, California: $77,972 ($37 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $77,205 ($37 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $75,492 ($36 per hour)
- New York, New York: $71,641 ($34 per hour)
- Boston, Massachusetts: $68,945 ($33 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Journalist
Journalists can boost their earning potential by gaining experience, learning in-demand skills, and pursuing opportunities in high-paying fields. Here are examples of effective strategies to increase journalist salaries:
- Gain experience: Employers pay more for journalists with proven skills in crafting stories or reporting on air. For example, entry-level reporters earn around $60,006 per year, while expert-level journalists with over eight years of experience earn $65,550.
- Learn in-demand skills: Skills like fact-checking (+14.98% salary increase), copyediting (+13.22%), and social media management (+13.22%) are highly valued as media evolves.
- Get education: A college degree in journalism or communications is typically required. Journalists with a bachelor's degree (64.8% of the workforce) earn $56,000-$59,300, while those with a master's degree (28.2%) earn slightly more, up to $60,100.
- Work in high-paying areas: Journalists in cities like San Jose ($77,972) or states like the District of Columbia ($68,444) earn more due to high demand.
- Negotiate: Understand job market trends and salary data to negotiate effectively. The average journalist salary is $61,816 per year, or $30 per hour, as of September 1, 2025.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of September 1, 2025, data from multiple sources provide a broader perspective on journalist salaries. The unweighted average salary across five major sources is approximately $62,761 per year.
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$61,816/ year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$49,525/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$91,821/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$49,666/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$60,979/ year
