How much does a Journalist make?

The average salary for a Journalist is $76,620 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 1237 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Journalist employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Journalist in United States is $104,802 per year.

The lowest salary for a Journalist in United States is $57,465 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Journalist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Journalist.

A career in journalism allows candidates to remain immersed in action, meet new people and travel. Salaried journalists earn income in line with other humanities bachelor’s degree holders, which they can raise by pursuing freelance work after-hours. As the shift from print media and television broadcast to digital subscriptions makes it easier to track readership, an increasing number of freelance journalists are paid by the number of clicks generated from their content.

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An estimated 58% of journalists are satisfied with their salaries, according to data collected anonymously by Glassdoor. Accumulating four or more years of experience and receiving a master's degree or doctorate can help lead to a higher salary as a journalist.

Total pay for journalists can range anywhere from $44,439.34 to $138,556.86. After years of following the typical career path of a journalist, you can expect to earn an estimated average total pay of $76,619.54. Once you have several years of experience under your belt, it's common to move on to more specialized or higher-level roles in journalism or other related fields.

If you want to maximize your earning potential throughout your journalism career, consider continuing your education beyond a bachelor's degree. Earning a graduate degree will help you strengthen your skills and stand out to employers. After five years of experience in the field, you can work toward a certification in journalism.

It's also beneficial to find a specialty and gain expertise in that area. Choose a topic, geographical location, or other specific beat that you'd like to report on more and put in the work to become an expert on it.

Whether you're interested in earning more at your current job or seeking out new journalist positions, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with other journalist's salaries in your area. Having those numbers in mind will help you come to the table with clear expectations about what you should be earning.

In addition, be prepared to talk through why your experience and skills are especially valuable. Is there a long-term reporting project that you really went the extra mile to deliver? Have you taken on new roles and responsibilities, such as mentoring more junior writers and editors? Be specific, straightforward, and confident as you discuss.