The Average Journalist Salary

Journalists, also called reporters, often report live from an event. Other times, journalists conduct interviews, follow events, examine documents, interpret information and either write or present news stories to the public.

Average Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), journalists earned a median average salary of $34,360 in May 2009. In that same period, the highest 10 percent of journalists pulled in approximately $74,700, while the earnings of the lowest 10 percent were $19,650.

Salary Breakdowns

In May 2009, journalists working in radio and TV broadcasting earned a median annual salary of $51,570, according to the BLS. They out-earned their counterparts in newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing, who earned a median annual pay of $39,120. Newspapers, periodicals, books and directory publishers employed the greatest number of journalists during this time, at 32,810.

Top Payers

Journalists working in "other information services," as classified by the BLS, earned the highest annual median salary in May 2009, bringing in $69,220. The "other information services" category includes management occupations, business and financial operations occupations and others. Journalists working in religious organizations were second, with a median annual salary of $54,420.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Reporters And Correspondents