News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalist Salary in 2026
How Much Do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Make?
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median annual salary of $60,280 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,590 at the 10th percentile to $162,430 at the 90th percentile — a range of $127,840. The highest-paying state is New York at $103,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,590 |
| 25th percentile | $40,420 |
| Median (50th) | $60,280 |
| 75th percentile | $97,460 |
| 90th percentile | $162,430 |
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $103,810 |
| District of Columbia | $103,350 |
| California | $84,830 |
| Georgia | $76,440 |
| Virginia | $63,360 |
| Delaware | $61,580 |
| Connecticut | $61,540 |
| Nevada | $61,160 |
| Maryland | $60,710 |
| New Jersey | $60,470 |
| Texas | $60,320 |
| Hawaii | $60,270 |
| Rhode Island | $59,770 |
| Colorado | $59,650 |
| Tennessee | $59,030 |
| Massachusetts | $58,890 |
| Florida | $57,720 |
| Washington | $57,040 |
| Illinois | $56,600 |
| Louisiana | $56,040 |
| Utah | $53,630 |
| Wisconsin | $52,670 |
| North Carolina | $52,430 |
| Oregon | $52,350 |
| New Mexico | $51,240 |
| Michigan | $49,690 |
| Arizona | $49,140 |
| Alaska | $47,310 |
| Maine | $46,670 |
| Oklahoma | $46,160 |
| Indiana | $45,470 |
| Minnesota | $45,190 |
| Idaho | $44,890 |
| Vermont | $44,890 |
| Alabama | $44,730 |
| South Carolina | $44,690 |
| Missouri | $44,270 |
| Mississippi | $44,160 |
| New Hampshire | $43,700 |
| North Dakota | $43,650 |
| Nebraska | $38,960 |
| Wyoming | $38,500 |
| Iowa | $38,290 |
| South Dakota | $36,610 |
| Montana | $36,510 |
| Ohio | $36,470 |
| West Virginia | $36,440 |
| Kentucky | $36,040 |
| Kansas | $34,330 |
| Arkansas | $34,230 |
Highest-Paying Metros for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalist 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) | ~$34,590 – $40,420 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$60,280 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$97,460 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $162,430+ |
How to Earn More as a News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $104,270 — $43,990 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($97,460) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalistthis career | $60,280 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $112,590 |
| Sociologist | $101,690 |
| Historian | $74,050 |
| Political Scientist | $139,380 |
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SOC: 27-3023.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.