What Does a Journalist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a journalist do?

News analysts, reporters and journalists research, investigate and report news and stories for newspapers, websites, TV, radio and podcasts. The median pay is $62,200 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years, and employment is projected to grow -5.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$62,200
$29.91/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-5.9%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
3,400
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
47,100
Employment, 2025

What journalists do

Journalists keep communities informed. They find stories, interview sources, research records, verify facts, write and produce stories in text, audio and video, and follow ethical standards. Many cover beats such as local government, business, sports or health.

Most journalists have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications. Employment is declining as news organizations change, so multimedia and digital skills are essential.

Typical duties

Find and pitch stories
Interview sources
Research records and data
Verify facts
Write and produce stories
Shoot photos and video
Publish across platforms

Work environment and schedule

Journalists work in newsrooms, remotely and in the field, often on deadline.

Schedule: Hours are irregular, with evenings, weekends and breaking news.

A day in the life

8:00 AMCheck police logs and city agendas for news.
9:00 AMPitch stories at the editorial meeting.
10:00 AMInterview sources about a city budget vote.
12:00 PMReview budget documents.

See a full day in the life of a journalist →

Journalist salary

Half of journalists earned more than $62,200 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,240 for the lowest 10% to $144,140 for the top 10%.

$36,24010th$62,200Median$144,14090th

Full journalist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a journalist

Write for student media
Earn a journalism degree
Intern
Get an entry-level job
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field is typical. Internships and clips are essential.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a journalist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

News writing
Interviewing
Fact-checking
Research and data
Multimedia production

People skills

Curiosity
Persistence
Ethics
Communication

All journalist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Meaningful public service
Varied, exciting work
Meet interesting people
Creative storytelling

Cons

Declining employment
Deadline pressure
Irregular hours
Public criticism

Certifications and licenses

Journalism degree: Formal training.
Data journalism training: Courses in data skills.
FAA Part 107: For drone journalism.
Portfolio of clips: Published stories.

Career path

Intern or Reporter: Cover stories.
Beat Reporter: Specialize in a topic.
Senior or Investigative Reporter: Lead major stories.
Editor: Lead newsrooms.

Learn the job before day one

Our Journalist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a news story and conduct an interview, safety and how to land your first job.

View Journalist training Is this career right for me?

Public Relations Specialist

Shape and protect the public image of organizations and people.

$74,750
4 years

Technical Writer

Explain complex products and processes in clear, usable documentation.

$90,390
4 years or technical background plus writing training

Photographer

Capture images for clients, events, products and stories.

$44,660
6 months–2 years

Video Editor

Cut raw footage into compelling films, shows, ads and online videos.

$75,420
4 years or portfolio-based training

Compare: Journalist vs. PR Specialist · Journalist vs. Technical Writer · Journalist vs. Photographer · Journalist vs. Video Editor

Journalist FAQ

Is journalism declining?

Employment is projected to decline, but digital and local outlets still hire.

Do journalists need a degree?

Usually.

What skills matter most?

Writing, reporting, ethics and multimedia skills.

How much does a journalist make?

The median annual wage for journalists was $62,200 ($29.91 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,240 and the highest 10% earned more than $144,140.

How long does it take to become a journalist?

Most people need about 4 years of training. A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field is typical. Internships and clips are essential.

Do you need a degree to be a journalist?

Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, and editors look for strong clips and internships.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-3023 (News analysts, reporters, and journalists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for News analysts, reporters, and journalists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Journalist