Media and Communication Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Media and Communication Workers Make?
Media and Communication Workers earn a median annual salary of $71,770 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,530 at the 10th percentile to $148,070 at the 90th percentile — a range of $109,540. The highest-paying state is California at $97,590.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,530 |
| 25th percentile | $52,690 |
| Median (50th) | $71,770 |
| 75th percentile | $99,520 |
| 90th percentile | $148,070 |
Media and Communication Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $97,590 |
| District of Columbia | $77,870 |
| New York | $77,300 |
| New Jersey | $71,110 |
| Minnesota | $68,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,560 |
| Wisconsin | $66,040 |
| Florida | $64,280 |
| Connecticut | $64,210 |
| Georgia | $61,300 |
| Massachusetts | $57,020 |
| Missouri | $55,200 |
| Hawaii | $53,900 |
| Maine | $53,190 |
| Colorado | $52,780 |
| Texas | $50,370 |
| Kansas | $50,220 |
| Oregon | $50,060 |
| Maryland | $49,500 |
| Washington | $49,300 |
| Louisiana | $48,480 |
| North Carolina | $48,450 |
| Virginia | $48,320 |
| Tennessee | $47,840 |
| Iowa | $47,310 |
| Mississippi | $47,090 |
| Illinois | $46,700 |
| Nevada | $46,460 |
| New Mexico | $45,860 |
| Ohio | $43,250 |
| Utah | $39,260 |
| Vermont | $38,890 |
| Michigan | $37,490 |
| Kentucky | $35,380 |
| Indiana | $34,600 |
| South Carolina | $33,900 |
| Montana | $33,430 |
| Idaho | $21,450 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Media and Communication Workers
Media and Communication Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,530 – $52,690 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$71,770 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$99,520 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $148,070+ |
How to Earn More as a Media and Communication Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Media and Communication Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $118,290 — $46,520 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($99,520) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Media and Communication Worker requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 27-3099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.