News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median of $62,200 per year ($29.91/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 5.9% through 2035, with about 3,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 27-3023
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,200a year, or $29.91/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $144K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,40047,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202547.1K
- Projected 203544.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 47.1K Projected 2035 44.3K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Anchor, Journalist, Multimedia Journalist, News Anchor, News Reporter, Reporter.
Pay
How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists make?
Every news analyst, reporter, and journalist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,200
Middle half earn $45,370 to $98,450
- 10th
- $36,240
- 25th
- $45,370
- 75th
- $98,450
- 90th
- $144,140
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,240 |
| 25th | $45,370 |
| Median | $62,200 |
| 75th | $98,450 |
| 90th | $144,140 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,200
- Median hourly wage
- $29.91/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $102,460
- People employed
- 39,250
Versus all US occupations
At $62,200, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn 22% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,220 a year.
Versus arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
Inside the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media group, where the middle occupation pays $68,060, this is 9% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $144,140 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,240, a gap of 4.0×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 35% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $105,390, and still leads at $95,895 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $105,390 | $95,895 | 1,720 |
| 2New York | $100,770 | $93,374 | 5,750 |
| 3Georgia | $81,910 | $85,063 | 1,520 |
| 4Nevada | $78,550 | $78,566 | 370 |
| 5Rhode Island | $74,570 | $72,908 | 150 |
| 6Maryland | $63,680 | $60,671 | 580 |
| 7Michigan | $62,760 | $65,228 | 960 |
| 8Tennessee | $62,390 | $67,911 | 600 |
| 9Virginia | $62,140 | $61,461 | 1,110 |
| 10Utah | $61,880 | $62,591 | 240 |
Job outlook
Is News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | −5.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists to change -5.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,800 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,400 openings are projected each year, 7.2% of the 47,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Declining advertising revenue in radio, newspapers, and television is expected to impact the long-term demand for these workers. In addition, television and radio stations are continuing to publish content online and on mobile devices. As a result, news organizations may have difficulty selling traditional forms of advertising, which is often their primary source of revenue.
News organizations also continue to consolidate and increasingly share resources, staff, and content with other media outlets. As consolidations, mergers, and news sharing continue, the demand for journalists may decrease as organizations downsize.
In some instances, however, consolidation provides increased funding and resources from the larger organization that helps limit the loss of jobs. In addition, increasing demand for online news may offset some of the impacts from declining advertising revenue and downsizing.
Getting in
How to become a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist
News analysts, reporters, and journalists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Internship or work experience on a college newspaper, radio station, or television station also may be helpful.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist do?
Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information. They report international, national, and local news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio.
Day-to-day tasks
- Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
- Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
- Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most news analysts, reporters, and journalists work full time, and their schedules vary. They may need to work additional hours or change their schedules in order to follow breaking news. Because news can happen at any time, they may need to work nights and weekends. They may also work nights and weekends to lead news programs or provide commentary.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where news analysts, reporters, and journalists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Newspaper publishers28%
- Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers21%
- Television broadcasting stations18%
- Self-employed workers17%
- Radio broadcasting stations4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Newspaper publishers | 28% |
| Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers | 21% |
| Television broadcasting stations | 18% |
| Self-employed workers | 17% |
| Radio broadcasting stations | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.5
- Reading Comprehension4.4
- Speaking4.3
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Writing4.0
- Active Learning3.8
- Monitoring3.3
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.4 |
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.8
- Time Management3.6
- Coordination3.4
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Persuasion3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Service Orientation2.9
- Negotiation2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Persuasion | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Negotiation | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video creation and editing software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 5 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Artistic5.1
- Investigative4.2
- Enterprising4.0
- Conventional3.6
- Social2.8
- Realistic1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
More arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media careers
Median annual pay, with news analysts, reporters, and journalists highlighted
- Art Director$114,850
- Technical Writer$90,390
- Editor$77,920
- Writer and Author$76,910
- Public Relations Specialist$74,750
- Interior Designer$67,190
- Graphic Designer$62,960
- News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist$62,200
- Photographer$44,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $114,850 |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 |
| Editor | $77,920 |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist | $62,200 |
| Photographer | $44,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within news analyst, reporter, and journalist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist appears on
Questions
News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist: frequently asked questions
How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists make?
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median of $62,200 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.91/hr. The middle half earn between $45,370 and $98,450. The top 10% earn $144,140 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation.
Is News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,800 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist do?
News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information. A core O*NET task: gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software.
Which states pay News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists the most?
The highest state medians for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists are District of Columbia ($105,390), New York ($100,770), Georgia ($81,910) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist?
O*NET scores News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists highest on the Artistic, Investigative and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ENTP, INFP, ENFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.