Journalist
Also known as: Reporter, News Writer
Research, investigate, and report on events and stories that inform and impact public knowledge.
Salary Range
The highest-paid specialization or seniority level for journalists.
About 1 in 10,000 reaches this level
About 49K journalists in the US; network and cable anchors earning $2M+ number roughly 30-50 people, a more representative top-end than the $12M+ earned by the handful of highest-paid anchors.
Salary data based on 2025 BLS, Glassdoor, and industry reports. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
How to Become One
This career typically requires a bachelor's degree. Here are the top colleges for it:
AI Risk Assessment
BLS projects employment will decline 4% from 2024-2034, and Press Gazette tracked 3,000+ US/UK journalism job cuts in 2025 plus 2,600+ more in just Q1 2026 — including 300+ at the Washington Post and major cuts at the BBC, CBS News, AP, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. AI is one accelerant among several (Google traffic to news sites dropped ~33% globally, ~38% in the US between late 2024 and late 2025, breaking the ad model), but it directly attacks the work entry-level journalists do: transcription, data analysis, SEO articles, earnings reports, and initial drafts. Bloomberg, Gannett, and other major outlets now publish AI-assisted articles routinely. The ProPublica union staged a 24-hour strike in April 2026 specifically over AI protections, signaling that newsroom labor sees the threat as live and material.
Sources
Ratings reflect a 10-year outlook based on 2025-2026 research, weighted toward entry-level impact. Individual outcomes will vary.
Related Careers
Is Journalist right for you?
Take our free 20-minute assessment to find out if journalist matches your personality, interests, and strengths.
Take the Free Assessment