Salaries of Journalists

Factors Affecting Salary

Determining salary statistics for someone in the field of journalism can be a difficult task, since many variables affect this type of employment. Salaries can vary depending on:

• Geographic location
• Type of employer, such as a public company or a government office
• Education
• Related experience, whether through internships or past employment
• Writing-related awards and honors
• Professional memberships
• Years of service with one particular employer

Average Salaries of Journalists

According to research conducted by Payscale.com, median salaries of journalists in the United States for 2008 were as follows:

• Marketing/Communications Manager: $61,445
• Technical Writer: $50,988
• Managing Editor: $49,778
• Copy Editor: $45,650
• Executive Assistant $43,316
• Magazine Editor: $40,000
• Newspaper Reporter: $29,721

SimplyHired.com, another popular site for job seekers interested in obtaining salary data, reports that the 2008 average salary for those in journalism-related occupations was $41,000.

Monster.com's Salary Center is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the salaries of journalists. Enter your desired job title and location to see data regarding the high and low end of salary scales for a particular occupation.

Competition and Earning Potential

If you're disappointed by the low salaries in the newspaper industry, keep in mind that the competition for these journalism jobs is often very high. Many young people are attracted to journalism careers after seeing movies and televisions depicting reporters as people who make a difference in the world. This romanticized image of the occupation, even though it's often far from reality, means employers can pay less and still attract qualified candidates. In comparison, technical writing and copy editing are seen as much less exciting and prestigious.

The Importance of Negotiation

While knowing the median and average salaries of journalists can be a good starting point for determining your expectations regarding your job search, it's still important to act as an advocate for your own needs. In many cases, people who receive higher salaries are not necessarily more talented than their peers. They are simply better negotiators.

Even if you hate conflict, negotiating your salary is often the key to your financial success. For example, consider the hypothetical case of two writers who are offered $25,000 for their first jobs out of college. If one negotiates the amount up to $30,000, he/she would make $361,000 more over the span of his/her career--assuming they both receive average 3% annual raises.

If you're offered a job with a salary you feel is unacceptable, you'll need to tactfully state why your unique skills and talents merit a salary increase. Be calm and confident as you discuss how your contributions will benefit your employer. Then, if a straight salary increase isn't possible, consider negotiating job perks such as flexible working hours, tuition reimbursement, or relocation assistance.

The Benefits of Freelancing

For someone with a journalism degree and a love of the written word, freelancing can be a smart career move. Payscale.com reports that self employed journalists show the highest yearly earnings when compared to their peers. Self employed journalists reported earnings averaging $68,784, while those who worked for private companies reported earnings of $48,667.

Even if you decide you would rather have the stability of traditional full-time employment, freelancing on a part-time basis can be a positive experience. You'll earn some extra money and make valuable connections with other writers and editors. Additionally, supplementing your day job with freelance writing assignments is a great way to improve your portfolio. Instead of having several clips related to one publication or topic area, you'll be able to build up a diverse assortment of work samples that demonstrates the range of your talents.

To learn more about starting your own freelance writing business, check out the following LTK articles:

• How Do I Become a Freelance Writer?
• Start a Freelance Writing Business
• Freelance Writer Assignments
• Freelance Writing Specialties
• Freelance Writing Fees