What Is the Salary Range of a Music Journalist?
As a music journalist, you are a part of a team of other journalists, researchers, editors, broadcast assistants and producers. Your salary depends upon the company you work for and your experience. Your stories report on musicians and music events, including concerts, recordings and performers. According to Indeed.com, as of November of 2010, a music journalist commands an average annual income of $69,000.00 (U.S. dollars).
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Salaries Vary Greatly
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According to Simply Hired, as of November of 2010, the average salary for a job description that contains the words "music" and "journalism" in it is around $30,000.00 (U.S. dollars) annually. This figure can increase with the size of company you work for, your location, your experience and the benefits being offered.
Average Journalist Salaries
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Music journalist salaries in the United States range from $29,000.00 to $69,000 annually. According to PayScale, as of November of 2010, the average rate of pay for a journalist ranges from $29,035.00 to $45,454.00 (U.S. dollars) annually. The average annual bonus ranges from $308.00 to $4,800.00. The average annual profit sharing ranges from $800.00 to $5,000.00, and the average annual commission ranges form $1,769.00 to $4,958.00.
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Experience Pays
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Music journalists in the U.K. can make from 15,000 to 100,000 English pounds annually. According to Creative Way, an educational and networking partnership website based in the United Kingdom, a music journalist trainee makes 15,000 to 18,000 English pounds annually. Experienced music journalists make 25,000 to 40,000 English pounds annually. Music journalists in the TV industry can command up to 100,000 English pounds annually.
Freelance Music Journalism
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As a freelance music journalist, your income will depend on your experience, your track record and who you contract work for. Work done in TV music journalism pays more than radio, for example.
Your Duties as a Music Journalist
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Your duties as a music journalist will include following national and international music story leads. You will be responsible for generating the story idea and backing it up with timely and accurate research. You will use sources such as the Internet archive and databases.
You may also work on location writing scripts or website content. You will decide the best way to present the story. You may prepare interview questions and conduct live or prerecorded interviews.
Your duties may also include presenting in TV or radios studios. You may direct a small camera and sound crew or even record the event yourself.
Getting Your Foot in the Door
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Getting your feet in the door According to the Creative Way in England, there are three main strategies for getting into the music journalism business.
You can pursue a degree or take a post-graduate course in broadcast journalism before you look for a job. This is referred to as the "pre-entry" route.
You can be recruited into a new entrant TV or radio training program with a broadcaster. This is referred to as the "direct entry" route.
You can start out working as a newspaper journalist and work your way up to radio and TV.
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