Journal Star Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Journal Star in the United States is $47. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $97,189. Salaries at Journal Star typically range from $41 to $53 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Journal Star

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Is Journal Star’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Journal Star's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
City Connect $48
+3.8%
Driven by niche technical certifications required for City Connect's specialized projects.
VG Reed & Sons Inc $45
-4.2%
VG Reed & Sons Inc focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
SmartBrief Inc $55
+16.9%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in SmartBrief Inc's primary metro hubs.
SunTimes $51
+8.7%
Data suggests SunTimes's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
Media Industry $61
+29.2%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Journal Star

Considering a career at Journal Star? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Management trusts us to explore bold ideas and take calculated risks, which is why our work stands out. Leaders are accessible and open, fostering a culture of trust where you feel empowered to take ownership of your work without being micromanaged. Career growth is clearly supported. It’s an environment where fresh voices really thrive.
Communication between departments is formal and sometimes inefficient. Every project feels meaningful and collaborative. Creative input varies by team. They are invested in my development, provide constructive feedback, and advocate for my growth within the company. Managers are supportive, though the culture could be more engaging.
There’s potential for growth, depending on your team. I appreciate the trust I’m given with significant responsibilities. Workload can vary greatly depending on the project. Feedback is occasionally delayed. Mostly execution-focused tasks. It’s a benefit that directly nurtures our creativity and passion for media. The pace is moderate. This diversity makes our creative work richer, more authentic,...
Training is available but often generic. This strong sense of purpose adds a significant layer of satisfaction and fulfillment to our daily creative efforts and team collaborations. The opportunities for professional growth are outstanding.
Training is provided but may lack customization and frequency. The team is professional and organized, but the culture lacks vibrancy. While deadlines are often tight, the company understands the importance of employee well-being and offers flexible arrangements where possible. I’ve had a positive and enriching experience working here. This media firm stands out for its employee-centric approach.

Journal Star Overview

Website
www.pjstar.com
Founded In
1855
Employees
100 - 200 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
1 News Plz Peoria Illinois IL 61643
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 3096863000
Social Media
About Journal Star
Journal Star Media provides the most innovative print and digital marketing solutions in the marketplace.

What Benefits Does Journal Star Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Journal Star offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Peoria?

Understanding the cost of living near Peoria is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Journal Star.
Peoria's Cost of Living Index is approximately 78.2 (21.8% less expensive than US average; 16.6% less than IL average). Central IL city, very affordable housing. CityLink. When planning your budget based on a salary from Journal Star, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $750 - $1,150+ A significant portion of Journal Star salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $160 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $40 (CityLink monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $360 - $540 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $300 - $580+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $350 - $650+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $1,960 - $3,170+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Journal Star

1. How much does Journal Star in the United States pay?

Journal Star pays its employees an average of $47 per hour. The average salary at Journal Star range from $41 to $53 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Journal Star employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Journal Star is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at Journal Star is $97,189, or an hourly wage of $47, in comparison to City Connect which pays $100,870 per year or $48 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Journal Star?

The higher-paying job at Journal Star, according to our data, include Controller (avg. $108 per hour), Assistant Controller (avg. $71 per hour), and Manager, Information Technology (avg. $62 per hour). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Journal Star?

Salary progression with years of experience at Journal Star is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Journal Star vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Journal Star vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Peoria section provides more context.

6. Does Journal Star offer good benefits?

Journal Star typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Journal Star" section on this page.