News Journalist Salary in the United States

How much does a News Journalist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a News Journalist in the United States is $44,815 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a News Journalist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,898
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,254 to $50,617
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,190
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,254 10% $34,190 90% $55,898 75% $50,617 $44,815 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

News Journalist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $50,617 $4,218 $973 $24
Average $44,815 $3,735 $862 $22
25th Percentile $39,254 $3,271 $755 $19
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Key Factors That Influence News Journalist Salaries

A News Journalist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects News Journalist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a News Journalist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $42,537
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,705
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $44,815
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $47,204
  • Expert (over 8 years): $47,375
Levels Salary
Entry Level News Journalist$42,537
Intermediate Level News Journalist$42,705
Senior Level News Journalist$44,815
Specialist Level News Journalist$47,204
Expert Level News Journalist$47,375
$42,537 0 yr
$42,705 < 2 yrs
$44,815 2-4 yrs
$47,204 5-8 yrs
$47,375 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for News Journalists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $56,525
  • San Francisco: $55,970
  • Oakland: $54,728

What Skills Can Increase a News Journalist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.27% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): Developing and promoting acquaintance, empowerment, and integration of each unique individual to create a productive and safe working environment.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.27%
Diversity and Inclusion 2.01%
Financial Services 1.23%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a News Journalist's salary.
  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Tableau
$57,812
29%
Analysis
$54,675
22%
Quality Assurance
$51,089
14%
Intellectual Property
$49,297
10%
Coordination
$48,849
9%
Innovation
$48,849
9%
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How Education impacts a News Journalist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many News Journalists enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a News Journalist with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $47,574 and $51,108).

News Journalist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for News Journalist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 24.1%
High School 24.1%
Associates 24.1%
Bachelors 41.4%
Masters 6.9%
Doctorate 3.4%
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News Journalist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a News Journalist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for News Journalist

Salaries for a News Journalist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,110 in 2023 to around $62,731 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of News Journalist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of News Journalist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,110
2024
$64,099
2025
$62,731
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,110
2024 $64,099
2025 $62,731
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for News Journalist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for News Journalist

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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