The Root Salary

As of July 2026, the average annual salary for employees at The Root in the United States is $102,400. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $49. Salaries at The Root typically range from $90,105 to $115,732 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at The Root

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Is The Root’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does The Root'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
Rio Rancho Observer $84,764
-17.2%
Rio Rancho Observer focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
Graphic Management Partners $107,895
+5.4%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to Graphic Management Partners's sector.
The Well News LLC $101,883
-0.5%
Confirms The Well News LLC is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
The Maeil Business Newspaper $100,543
-1.8%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Media Industry $125,523
+22.6%
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 The Root

Considering a career at The Root? 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.
One of the most forward-thinking media companies I’ve worked for. We are equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology that make the creative process so much smoother. The company offers great perks, like access to exclusive industry events, film screenings, and conferences. It’s suitable for those who prefer routine and predictability in a creative industry.
Processes can feel bureaucratic at times. Overall, the workplace is stable but can feel bureaucratic and resistant to rapid change. Our editorial, video, and social media teams work in harmony, sharing insights and assets to create cohesive and powerful campaigns. It’s fine, but doesn’t push innovation or encourage experimentation. This welcome freedom allows for autonomous work, fosters a strong ...
The tradeoff is that there is flexibility in tone or creative direction. This autonomy has allowed me to grow my skills much faster than I ever expected. Communication between departments is formal and sometimes inefficient. There’s potential for growth, depending on your team. Flexible work hours and remote options help maintain balance.

The Root Overview

Website
www.theroot.com
Founded In
2019
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
PO Box 15283 Washington District of Columbia DC 20003
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 8447668925
Social Media
About The Root
At 12-years-old, The Root is the leading African American news source in America, reaching more than 10 million visitors per month with editorial featuring biting commentary, opinion, breaking news and culture content. Co-founded in 2008 by preeminent scholar Henry Louis Gates, The Root seeks to uplift conversations that often go unheard outside of our communities.

What Benefits Does The Root Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. The Root 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 Washington?

Understanding the cost of living near Washington is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at The Root.
Washington D.C.'s Cost of Living Index is approximately 148.7 (48.7% more expensive than US average). Nation's capital, very high housing costs, extensive public transit (WMATA), high overall expenses. When planning your budget based on a salary from The Root, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,200 - $3,300+ A significant portion of The Root salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $70-200+ (WMATA SmarTrip varies by use) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $450 - $680 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $500 - $900+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,770 - $5,880+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of The Root

1. How much does The Root in the United States pay?

The Root pays its employees an average of $102,400 per year. The average salary at The Root range from $90,105 to $115,732 per year. 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 The Root employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at The Root is higher than its peer company. The average annual salary at The Root is $102,400, or an hourly wage of $49, in comparison to Rio Rancho Observer which pays $84,764 per year or $41 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at The Root?

The higher-paying job at The Root, according to our data, include Chief Executive Officer (avg. $792,666 per year), National Sales Director (avg. $187,741 per year), and Senior Manager, Data Science (avg. $147,977 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at The Root?

Salary progression with years of experience at The Root 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 The Root vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at The Root 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 Washington section provides more context.

6. Does The Root offer good benefits?

The Root 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 The Root" section on this page.