News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information.
Is news analysts, reporters, and journalists a good career?
It scores 11/100 and ranks #653 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($62,200)
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-3.9% through 2034)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn between $45,370 and $98,450 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
News analysts, reporters, and journalists typically need a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, such as English.
Bachelor’s degree programs in journalism and communications include courses in journalistic ethics and techniques for researching topics and conducting interviews. Some programs may require students to study liberal arts subjects, such as history and economics, to prepare for covering a range of topics. Students may further specialize in the type of journalism they wish to pursue, such as print or broadcast.
Journalism students may benefit from courses in multimedia design, coding, and programming to be able to develop content that includes video, audio, data, and graphics.
Advancement
After gaining experience, field reporters at a local news station may become that station’s anchor. News analysts, reporters, and journalists may also advance by moving from news organizations in small cities or towns to news organizations in large cities. Large markets may offer opportunities for more responsibility and challenges. Reporters and journalists also may become editors or news directors.
Important qualities
Communication skills. News analysts, reporters, and journalists must be able to clearly convey information. Strong writing skills also are important.
Interpersonal skills. To develop contacts and conduct interviews, news analysts, reporters, and journalists must be able to build relationships. They also need to work well with other journalists, editors, and news directors.
Persistence. News analysts, reporters, and journalists must be determined when pursuing stories or articles. Investigating topics and gathering facts may be difficult, particularly when those involved refuse to be interviewed or to provide comment.
Stamina. The work of news analysts, reporters, and journalists is often fast paced and exhausting. They must be able to adapt to the irregular hours of work.
Technological skills. News analysts, reporters, and journalists should be able to use editing equipment and other broadcast-related devices. They also should be able to use multimedia and coding software in order to publish stories on websites and mobile devices.
Related occupations
How much do news analysts, reporters, and journalists make?
The national median wage is $62,200 a year, with the middle half earning between $45,370 and $98,450 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is news analysts, reporters, and journalists a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 11 of 100 and ranks #653 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -3.9% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a news analysts, reporters, and journalist?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($105,390). Local pay for every state and metro is below.