Journalist Pay: Median, Entry-Level & Senior Salaries
National median: $55,960/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $47,002/year take-home — 16.0% effective rate.
Journalist Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $30,000 | $26,144 | $2,179 | 12.9% |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $32,572 | $2,714 | 14.3% |
| MedianBLS Median | $55,960 | $47,002 | $3,917 | 16.0% |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $64,666 | $5,389 | 19.2% |
| 90th Percentile | $115,000 | $89,289 | $7,441 | 22.4% |
| Senior Level | $95,000 | $75,219 | $6,268 | 20.8% |
Journalist Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $73,727 | $56,530 | $4,711 | 23.3% |
| California | $68,691 | $53,136 | $4,428 | 22.6% |
| Illinois | $61,136 | $48,135 | $4,011 | 21.3% |
| District of Columbia | $69,670 | $53,077 | $4,423 | 23.8% |
| Massachusetts | $66,872 | $52,087 | $4,341 | 22.1% |
About This Career
Journalists research and report news stories for print, broadcast, digital, and podcast outlets. Print newsroom employment has declined sharply since 2005, while digital media, podcasting, and specialized financial journalism — Bloomberg, Reuters, financial trade publications — maintain stronger compensation levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Journalist salary in the US?+
The national median Journalist salary is $55,960 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,000 and $80,000, while the top 10% earn over $115,000.
How much does a Journalist take home after taxes?+
A Journalist earning the median $55,960 takes home approximately $47,002 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Journalists earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Journalists are New York, California, Illinois. Top cities include New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles, where salaries can exceed $80,000 for experienced professionals.