In our world of information overload, the role of journalists — gatekeepers of truth and fact — has never been more crucial.

People with journalism degrees dig deep, uncover stories, and bring them to light. But for those who want to pursue headlines and bylines, a question lingers: Do journalists make good money? 

The idea of a journalism degree salary is not defined simply. Some journalists thrive, others bring home more modest paychecks. A veteran reporter on a New York Times journalist’s salary will have a different perspective than someone working an entry-level job for journalism majors. Experience, geography, and types of journalism are all variables. 

Is journalism a high-paying degree?

Let’s be clear about what’s being asked. Is journalism the highest-paying career? Generally speaking, no — there are other fields with greater average/median salaries. But let’s circle back to the original question: Is this a high-paying degree field? That depends on how you define “high pay,” the type of journalism you’d like to practice, and the region where you want to work.

Let’s crunch some numbers …

Below you’ll find salary ranges, categorized by the types of jobs for journalism majors. The average annual salary is there, but we also want to show what an income looks like at various percentiles (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th). The lower points give you an idea of where entry-level jobs might land, or what you might be paid in certain geographic regions that aren’t major media markets. (It’s not impossible to make six figures right out of college, but it’s hardly common.)

^{(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023)}

The average journalist salary figure does differ by region — the best-paid journalists tend to find themselves working on the coasts, home to numerous major media markets. Those markets have greater demand for certain types of journalists — salary data show that, on average, major broadcast media markets pay more-competitive rates for producers, directors, and announcers. As a result, those positions in those regions often rank among the highest-paid journalism jobs.   

Below you’ll find a sampling of average salaries for popular jobs for journalism and mass communication grads, pulled from states located in various regions of the United States.

 ^{(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023)}

Another thing to consider as you digest the data: Yes, some regions pay higher average salaries than others. But it might be wise to plug numbers into a cost-of-living calculator to see how far a dollar in one region might stretch (or shrink) in a different ZIP code. There are many calculator options on the web; this one from SmartAsset has a broad selection of U.S. cities available for comparison.

What is the highest-paying job in journalism?

If you simply want to look at big numbers, high-profile broadcasters are examples of some of the highest-paying jobs in the industry. The annual salaries of many well-known broadcasters — including journalism and mass communication grads such as David Muir, Robin Roberts, and Stephen A. Smith — are purported to be large enough to necessitate two commas.

And if they make that kind of money, the people signing their checks probably make a tidy sum themselves, right?

Having lofty goals is admirable ... but it might be a disservice to hold up outliers as the definition of a journalism degree salary.

There are many professions to consider within various types of journalism, or you might want an answer that looks beyond traditional journalism and encompasses various occupations that can be attained with a journalism degree.

In terms of traditional journalism jobs, the average salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics point to news analysts/reporters/journalists as the most lucrative job category — but this comes with a caveat. While that category sees an average salary just over $100K, it’s worth noting that the median average salary — the dollar amount at which there is an equal number of people earning more and less than that — is $57,500. That would indicate that the top earners in the category are seriously skewing the average salary figure.

Certain positions in digital communication, public relations, and advertising might bump you up a tax bracket, especially at the management level. Advertising managers and public relations managers see average salaries a bit north of $150K, for example; digital communication managers are not far behind that mark.

Are journalists in high demand?

Average salary figures don’t mean a lot to aspiring journalists who can’t find work. So, are there jobs out there? 

There is demand for people who hold a journalism degree, both in traditional journalism settings and in fields that crave critical thinkers who can communicate. This is true whether you’re seeking entry-level jobs for journalism majors or you’re a seasoned pro looking for your next challenge.

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of postings for jobs in the United States across many types of journalism and related fields, and forecasts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics through the year 2032 look strong for many disciplines. 

Traditional journalism and mass communication jobs, however, are projected to decline over the next few years, anywhere from 3% to 4%. That said, average annual openings certainly won’t run dry. The projected employment growth for digital communication, public relations, advertising, fundraising/development, and most broadcast fields is more positive.

^{(Sources: Job posting data from Chmura/JobsEQ; projected employment growth and average annual openings from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)}

How does one stand out in an applicant pool, you might ask? 

In terms of “hard skills,” employers want to know if you can use software and technology specific to the position. Do you know your way around Microsoft Office (or other brands’ equivalents)? Do you understand trends in social media? Are you proficient in audio and/or video editing? 

And don’t sleep on “soft skills” — hiring managers want people with outstanding communication skills, the ability to prioritize/manage their time, people who work well in teams ... and did we mention outstanding communication skills? The ability to communicate is vital to any industry, not just journalism/mass communication.

Are journalism degrees worth it?

The short answer is, yes, your journalism degree is worth it.

The obvious perk of obtaining a journalism degree: With the qualifications you gain, you can be a political reporter, a sports reporter, an environmental reporter, a social justice reporter, an investigative reporter, etc. You can take your passion or interest and do the kinds of reporting and storytelling that change the world and can have a huge impact.

A journalism degree equips you with a versatile skill set that media companies seek — and these skills have a place in professions beyond journalism itself. Employers want people who thrive as communicators. Having the ability to think critically, question the face value of things, and conduct thorough research can take you far in many careers. You’ll develop these traits when you earn a journalism degree. 

(By the way, those are great skills to bring to the negotiation table when it’s time to talk salary.)