How Much Money Can You Earn for Being a Newspaper Journalist?
If you enjoy being in the middle of the action and giving people fresh information, then the life of a newspaper journalist might be for you. The job is stressful because you're under constant pressure to be accurate and complete stories by a deadline, but you'll mingle with newsmakers and cover important events. Salaries depend on job location and experience.
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Training
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A bachelor's degree in journalism or communications is a must for the field, which is available from more than 1,500 institutions, according to 2010 figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Masters and doctorates are also available. Many employers require practical experience over and above the diploma, so internships or part-time jobs are an important part of training. Newspaper journalists need good writing and people skills, and must be able to handle all kinds of multimedia such as computer graphics and websites. Those with experience can progress from general reporter to specialist to editor.
Earnings
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of May 2010, journalists made a mean $21.05 per hour or $43,780 per year. However, those in the newspaper industry, which hires the bulk of journalists, earned less at $18.47 per hour or $38,420 per year. The highest-paying employers for reporters are other information services, which includes news syndicates. They pay a mean $29.83 per hour or $62,050 per year.
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Locations
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The states with the highest employment for journalists also have the highest populations in the country. New York tops the list with more than 4,000 jobs that pay a mean $28.73 per hour or $59,750 per year. California is No. 2 with 3,800 jobs at $22.76 hour or $47,340 annually. Texas ranks third with 2,600 positions paying $17.25 per hour or $35,880 per year. The District of Columbia has the highest pay at $33.45 per hour or $69,570 per year. With cities, the most jobs are in New York City, with 3,120 reporters getting a mean $30.46 per hour or $63,360 per year. The highest paying positions are in Edison, New Jersey, at $42.45 per hour or $88,300 per year.
Benefits
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Benefits are an important component of journalist earnings, and the ones provided by The New York Times provide useful comparisons. The paper provides two weeks of paid vacation per year to start as well as paid personal days, holidays and sick leave. Health plans cover medical, dental, hearing, vision and hearing, with insurance provided for life, accidental death, personal loss and long term care. Flexible spending accounts supplement this coverage and save on taxes. Reporters who go back to school receive tuition reimbursement, and the company offers personal growth and leadership development courses.
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References
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