Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for print journalists in the United States
Are print journalist jobs in demand?
Print journalist job and salary trends over time
Print journalist jobs over time
Print journalist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 29 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 31 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 28 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 29 | 0.00% |
Average print journalist salary over time
Print journalist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $95,407 | $45.87 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $92,170 | $44.31 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $89,525 | $43.04 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $85,424 | $41.07 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $82,061 | $39.45 | +4.0% |
Print journalist jobs by state
Most common states for print journalists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 6 | 1% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 5 | 1% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 30 | 0% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 16 | 0% |
| 5 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 13 | 0% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 11 | 0% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 11 | 0% |
| 8 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 10 | 0% |
| 9 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 7 | 0% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 7 | 0% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 5 | 0% |
| 12 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 5 | 0% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 5 | 0% |
| 14 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 3 | 0% |
| 15 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 3 | 0% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2 | 0% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2 | 0% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 1 | 0% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 0 | 0% |
Print Journalist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of print journalist experts
The University of Findlay
Western Kentucky University
Georgia State University
Montclair State University
New Mexico State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
American University
Butler University
University of Oregon
Washington and Lee University
Towson University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Belmont University
Miami University
University of Georgia
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
University of New Mexico
Fairfield University
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Amy Rogan: Many think that journalism is dying when in actuality is evolving. There are so many media sites out there that are not actual journalism and yet, our society needs real journalism now more than ever. Misinformation and disinformation spread so quickly, it contaminates the media landscape. But we need journalists willing to build their reputation and their audience so that trained professional journalists drown out the fiction or infotainment.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amy Rogan: Journalists do a number of things and no two days look alike. Journalists need to have sound, solid news judgement and know their audience and what their audience needs to know. They pitch stories to their editors, producers, or managers, then they research their story topic, find the appropriate interviews and set those up. Once they complete the interviews and gather all their research they then have to craft a story that captures the readers’ or viewers’ attention and serves the community. Typically, that is just one day of work unless you’re working on a special project. Multimedia skills are in high demand because journalists are on so many platforms these days. You need to know how to write for print, digital, and broadcast. And, if you know how to shoot and edit video as well as write, your name goes to the top of the list.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Professor Mac McKerral: Producing quality journalism is not easy. It’s hard work and requires a variety of skills, all of which contribute to quality journalism. The writing, reporting and editing must all be in balance and strong. Anyone can be a journalist these days. But not everyone should. Continue to learn on the job. Find a good mentor/editor and milk that individual for everything he or she can offer. If you want to write about yourself rather than others, seek a different career. Your first job might not be your ideal job, but it will be the ticket to your ideal job. Approach every assignment, regardless of how menial, as if it is the most important story ever. You cannot pick and choose what you want to do well. Anything you report will impact someone. Always remember that. Develop a visceral hate for mistakes. Know what your ethical line in the sand is before you are faced with an ethical conundrum. Understanding where you stand before making ethical decisions will enhance your chances of making the right choice.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Mac McKerral: Fact checking. Ethical use of AI. Getting back to dealing with sources face-to-face. Using literary writing devices to tell great stories.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Professor Mac McKerral: Produce quality work for student publications while in school. Do multiple internships. Hold onto and use what you are taught in school. Be capable of doing anything needed: A/V news gathering and editing; visual work; editing; basic design. Be self-motivated and take initiative. Show a wiliness to learn.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The best way is to show you already have experience, and the employer won’t need to train you. An applicant who arrives ready to hit the ground running stands a better chance of getting the job and the top salary over someone who has never been published, taken a photo, put together a video story or – most important! – proved they can meet a deadline under pressure.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The need for people who can tell accurate, engrossing stories in a variety of media is increasing. That means being able to write concisely, speak with authority and take photos/video/sound that engage an audience. Don’t expect to have a camera crew or editor at your elbow. The more proficient you can be in mastering those tasks, the more valuable you will be.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: Two things: 1/ Don’t wait to graduate to lay the foundation for your career. Work in the student media. Join organizations that connect you to professionals in your area (press clubs, student chapters of professional organizations). These connections often lead to internships, part-time jobs and freelance opportunities. Classroom learning is key to getting the fundamentals down, but on-the-job experience is priceless. Along with establishing a network, it will provide you with published/broadcast work you can show to future employers. 2/ Do not expect to graduate and start working at The New York Times. It takes years of experience to break into the major media organizations. Start small: Look for opportunities in second- and third-tier media markets (think suburban/rural, not urban). Even at places like CNN, get your foot in the door as a researcher, fact checker or other entry level position and prove yourself. That’s how people get promoted.
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin
Associate Professor, Multimedia JournalismMontclair State University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: In the area of multimedia storytelling, versatility is paramount. Much like a Swiss Army knife, having a diverse skill set is invaluable. While it's beneficial to cultivate expertise in a specific area, especially as you progress in your career, starting out often calls for a broader approach. Exploring a range of skills and interests allows you to discover your true passion before committing wholeheartedly. Once you've identified your passion, devote yourself to it wholeheartedly and strive to become an expert. However, don't overlook the importance of putting in the time to develop those skills. Whatever path you choose, continually seek out innovative ways to improve and refine your craft. Embrace creativity and experimentation, always pushing yourself to do better and explore new horizons.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: The most valuable advice I could offer to someone embarking on a career in journalism and multimedia storytelling is to immerse yourself in a topic that truly captivates you and then pursue it relentlessly. Strive to become not just proficient, but truly passionate and knowledgeable about your chosen subject matter. By doing so, you'll naturally become somewhat of an expert in the field. I firmly believe in the importance of dedicating significant time and effort to your craft. As Malcolm Gladwell famously suggests, mastery often requires putting in around 10,000 hours of practice. So, start chipping away at that goal, knowing that with perseverance and dedication, great things are bound to happen. In addition to honing your expertise, focus on cultivating a wide network of sources. These individuals can provide you with story ideas, access to compelling characters, and unique opportunities. By building strong relationships within your community, you'll find yourself plugged into a network that can offer both exposure and new avenues for growth. But also cultivate a network of media professionals who do the kind of work that you aspire to do.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Darren Phillips M.A.: First and foremost, I would advise journalists starting out to be curious and to read, read, and read some more. The best storytellers are voracious consumers of information — credible information — and they’re infinitely curious about world events, politics, history, and the like. Knowledge is power. It’s also marketability. Be an expert, or at least know enough about the wider world to be able to bring relevant context and nuance to your work. This requires you to read. For journalism students still in school, this also means taking elective courses in government and economics, geography, and other subjects outside your major that will help you make greater sense of complex topics. Reading and just a life-long commitment to learning are so important.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Darren Phillips M.A.: Maximizing salary potential as a media professional starts with everything I’ve already mentioned. Journalists and even PR and advertising professionals must be extremely well informed on a broad range of topics. This starts with reading and just being a voracious media consumer. This also requires one to think critically, to consume media from disparate sources, to not shy away from contrarian viewpoints, and to work hard and in good faith to synthesize information responsibly. This ties in with maintaining strict allegiance to industry best practices including media ethics. Reputation is everything. Make sure your employers, prospective employers, and clients all understand and appreciate your professional integrity and just your commitment to truth and accuracy. Moreover, embrace change, lean into technological change, and become a bit of a techno geek. Work hard making contacts and building a professional network. Work hard, generally. Hard work goes a long way in any vocation. Beyond that, attend industry conferences, pay close attention to your online presence, curate your social media profiles carefully and put some real time and thought into things like your LinkedIn profile and online portfolio. Lastly, don’t be put off by rejection. Rejection comes with the territory in any competitive career field. Believe in yourself, stay positive, stay open minded, learn all you can, read like crazy, keep grinding, and success will follow eventually.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Embarking on a career in news television broadcasting is a thrilling journey, filled with opportunities and challenges that will push you to grow and excel. The students must develop strong writing skills. I'd appreciate it if you could practice writing scripts for various news stories to hone your skills in delivering information effectively to your audience. They also need to focus on building a diverse demo reel. Showcase your versatility by gaining experience in different areas of broadcasting, such as reporting, anchoring, producing, and editing. And watch the news to stay informed. Stay updated on current events and what is going on in your community. Finally, practice your on-air presence. Practice in front of a camera and ask for feedback from mentors or peers. Work on your delivery, tone, and body language to build confidence and credibility on camera. One last thing, it's crucial to develop a thick skin. Journalism can be a demanding and sometimes stressful field. By developing resilience, you can handle criticism, rejection, and pressure with grace and composure, feeling more prepared for the challenges you may face.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Students will need to become more digital and Social Media savvy. As digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences consume news and information, digital and social media proficiency will be increasingly crucial. However, Multimedia Storytelling must be a cornerstone of our industry. Integrating multimedia elements such as video, audio, graphics, and interactive elements will become more prevalent in broadcast journalism. Professionals who can tell compelling stories using a combination of multimedia formats will be in high demand. I always encourage students to enroll in Data Visualization courses. The ability to extract meaningful insights from data and present them visually engagingly will help broadcasters provide deeper insights and context to their stories. We must remember Mobile Journalism (MoJo). Using your mobile devices to capture, edit, and publish news content will become a standard for journalists. Last but not least, journalists must build meaningful connections with audiences through interactive storytelling, live chats, audience polls, and user-generated content will become increasingly important. Broadcasters who can foster active engagement and dialogue with their audience will be able to cultivate loyal viewership and build community around their content.
Assistant Amy Eisman
Assistant ProfessorAmerican University
Arts, Entertainment, And Media Management
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Assistant Amy Eisman: One skill is easy: be flexible. The technology is changing at lightning speed. At the moment, it helps to be strong at data journalism and understanding emergent technology, such as AI. Topic areas of interest include climate coverage, health and education. It also helps to be a great team player; the speed of news means you rarely work alone. Overall, make sure you embrace the basics in the field: accuracy, fairness, transparency, independence and accountability. Be a solid writer and an even better editor and producer. No one can predict what is next for technology. Employers therefore will look for people who uphold the values of the past, are enthusiastic about the present and are curious about the future.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Assistant Amy Eisman: Too many people are reluctant to ask or negotiate salary. An employer will not rescind an offer if you ask; many expect you will. To get the next job, you have to be great at the one you are in. It also is good to keep potential employers in your corner with occasional updates about your successes.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Joseph Valenzano III: Beginning a career must always come with the understanding that your first job is not your career, and it won’t pay you as much as you might think. Maximizing your potential in this scenario depends on many variables, some of which you cannot control. The ones you can control are the quality of your writing samples, having a record of published work in outlets (including the school paper), the clarity of your resume, and the strength of your interview. It also would be helpful to do homework on the market, the employer, and any data on comparisons you can collect. This can help you calibrate your expectations in advance of any offer. One don’t in this process: don’t expect to have a simple 9-5 job; going the extra mile when asked, and even when not asked, can help demonstrate your value to the employer and accelerate the rate of your growth in the industry as well.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Valenzano III: Entering the field of journalism right now could seem like a daunting task, but if you approach it with the curiosity, tenacity and understanding that led you to the profession you will be successful. Do not be afraid to start at a small paper, magazine, or outlet. Good work breeds new opportunities, and so don’t write for what you think the reputation of the outlet is; rather write the best stories you can for your audience. If you make mistakes—and you will—own them, acknowledge them, fix them if you can, and use them to grow. Above all, do not ever stop writing. The best free throw shooters in basketball practice their craft every day. Writing is your craft, practice it. Finally, read and then read more. Reading makes you a better writer.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Joseph Valenzano III: In the developing field of journalism some classic skills will never cease to be important, but new skills will also become more essential. Writing and the ability to edit your own work will always be crucial to a journalist, as will fact-checking and copyediting. Clean, accurate, engaging writing and the ability to interview and engage with sources and stories will always be the coin of the realm. That said, more and more journalists need to be well versed in multimedia skills and social media. Writing in these formats is different than writing in column spaces for a paper, and so learning how to translate stories to these media is becoming a skill that separates good journalists from great ones. Additionally, video skills such as editing and shooting for short formats is also becoming more important as journalists are often asked to do most, if not all, of the tasks associated with producing a video story.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Damian Radcliffe: Negotiate. Ask for more money. If that’s not forthcoming, can you negotiate a training budget, more PTO, flexible working hours or the ability to WFH a few days a week? Your negotiating position is often at its strongest when you start in a role and not enough people realize that.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
K. Megan Hopper Ph.D.: I would advise that graduates should be prepared to be quick on their feet and never expect the same thing from day to day. Also, be prepared and embrace continual learning - learning about the craft as well as learning about various aspects of life and culture - and to always keep an open mind. The job is rarely boring and that is what makes journalism so exciting!
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Finch: Don't panic. There are lots of jobs available, especially in TV news and in new startups-newsletters, podcasts, web-based operations. But most jobs in communications do not hire a year in advance like some high-level business jobs. You are NOT behind if you don't have a job right now. You'll get one.
Be honest with yourself. Don't apply for jobs you don't really want just for the sake of trying to get something. Picture yourself on the other end of a phone call when a manager says, "Congratulations, you're hired." If the thought makes you nervous or sad, don't apply. Don't waste their time and yours. Sometimes that's about a region of the country where you'd prefer not to live. Sometimes, it's about a particular city, or certain ownership. Whatever your own objection, listen to your inner voice and don't apply.
Bring your family into the conversation. It's YOUR job and your career, but things will go better if you explain what your work hours will be. Some family compromises include asking you to take a job within a two-hour flight of home-or a six-hour car ride. Also, educate them on the likelihood that you may move three times before you're 30. It's the nature of journalism and related careers.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Pallavi Guha Ph.D.: Mastering all trades, for example, if you are a journalist, you need reporting skills, social media storytelling skills, basic photography/video skills, and editing skills. Using storyboards and graphics such as Canva, and effectively using social media for sourcing, interviews, checking accuracy, and promoting stories will become irreplaceable.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Pallavi Guha Ph.D.: Mastering all trades, for example, if you are journalist, you need reporting skills, social media story telling skills, basic photography/video skills, and editing skills. Using storyboard and graphics such Canva, and effectively using social media for sourcing, interviews, checking accuracy, and promoting stories will become irreplaceable.
Natalie Becerra
Career Development SpecialistUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Natalie Becerra: Do your research! If you plan to negotiate your salary you need to go in with some research to back up that counteroffer. There are plenty of reliable sites out there to help you determine the market average salary for the type of role you're applying for, while also taking geographic location into consideration. I also encourage students to try and get a rough estimate of their cost of living, especially if they plan to relocate to a larger city, so they can make sure they can make ends meet with the salary they're offered. That research plus evaluating your "value adds" you bring to the role (prestigious education, years of relevant experience, etc.) are all things that you can use to advocate for yourself.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Natalie Becerra: I think some very important skills that will be important to have are resourcefulness and research skills. Especially in the journalism and media industries everything is very trend driven. That means people need to have better research-backed strategies if they want to see long-term, sustainable success. It will be hard to just rely on clickbait and bandwagoning forever, so people should sharpen their research skills and foster a sense of curiosity and resourcefulness to dig deeper and find information for themselves.
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson
Assistant Professor of JournalismBelmont University
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: Journalists get to talk to different people everyday and tell different stories. They are relentless questioners; they want to find out the how and why of events and explain them to others. Journalists are storytellers who deal in facts. The negatives can be the pressure to meet deadlines and discomfort of telling stories others don't want told and the rigor of being edited and fact-checked.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: Now more than ever, we need journalists to hold those in power accountable and write unbiased, ethically sourced stories. Journalists can inform, educate and help create a more informed society that leads to a strong democracy. Journalists can uncover corruption, lift up the marginalized and explain complex international issues as well as telling audiences about their local communities.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: A journalist, whether print, digital or broadcast tells relevant, important stories happening in his or her community. Journalists strive to be fast, but also must provide accurate, objective, verifiable stories grounded in research and ethical reporting. Journalists should tell you what to think about, but not what to think.
What general advice would you give to a Print Journalist?
Professor Julia Wallace: First: Be confident. If you don't believe in yourself, others won't. Second: Be resilient. You will face setbacks. Figure out how to bounce back from them in the way that's best for you. Third: Adapt and keep learning. The field is changing fast, and you want to be one step ahead. And finally, be a good ally - help those around you and make your work environment better.
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Julia Wallace: Ask for more money. Too often, graduates - particularly women - are too intimidated to ask for more money. That's a mistake. Do your research. Know the range and ask for slightly more. Explain your value. Don't tell a potential employer you need more money. Instead, tell them why you are worth more. All these steps are important in getting the highest salary possible in the beginning, but it also lets the employer know you're paying attention to how much they pay you.
Rosemary Pennington
Associate Professor & Area Coordinator of Journalism Miami UniversityMiami University
Journalism
What Print Journalist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rosemary Pennington: Being data fluent and multimedia adept are of increasing importance in the field. Data has always been important to news, but with both data and tools to crunch it becoming more accessible, it's a good idea that beginning journalists become comfortable working with numbers.
So many news outlets are branching across media that journalists really should also get comfortable working in a variety of media. Specializing in a particular medium will not help you find, and keep, a job the way it once did. That doesn't mean you have to be good at it all, but you should be familiar with how news is reported in a variety of formats.
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Rosemary Pennington: I think it's important for individuals to cast as wide a net as possible when looking for that first journalism job. The worst thing a new journalist can do right now is cut off options. Apply for TV jobs, online jobs, print jobs -- apply where the jobs are. Most journalism curricula are training graduates to work in a multitude of environments and many employers are willing to provide on the job training around specific skills if the potential employee has a good news foundation. Getting that first job can be the hardest step in building a journalism career, so being open to what media you work in, and where you work, can help you land that first gig.
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.
Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership.University of Georgia
Journalism
What will help Print Journalists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
Rodger Johnson
Visiting Lecturer of Practice in Public RelationsIndiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Department of Journalism and Public Relations
What hard/technical skills are most important for Print Journalists?
Rodger Johnson: Writing and photography, or videography, or having all three are important hard skills to have. One's writing needs to be impeccable, not just in mechanics, but in how the journalist writes to objectively inform and to move the emotions of their readers.
What skills will help Print Journalists earn the most?
Rodger Johnson: There seems to be a cult fetish with money and wealth in our culture - this is unhealthy - and leads people to do things with their skills that can be both unethical and unhealthy for them and their audience. It's not about the money; it's about building extraordinary relationships, navigating complicated bureaucracy, uncovering the stories that inform and move people forward toward better lives. The money will be there because one's audience will continue to read and pay for good stories. One may not become a millionaire, but that's not important, so long as they touch lives with the stories they write.
Kate Cunningham
Multimedia communication instructorUniversity of New Mexico
Department of Communication and Journalism
What hard/technical skills are most important for Print Journalists?
Kate Cunningham: As you can imagine, journalism has become more and more digital, and technical skills play more of a role than they did just a few years ago. For example, if you understand the basics of publishing using a content management system, that's an advantage. If you can add good quality and well-edited video to your online news story, that's an advantage too. Video, for example, helps you add new dimensions to your story and brings in new audience members. We know some people will watch a video and not read a story and vice versa.
Other important technical skills include knowing how to use spreadsheets to analyze data.
Matt Tullis
Director of Digital Journalism, Co-Director of Sports Media, Assistant Professor of Practice of Digital Journalism, Author of Running With Ghosts, Host and Producer of Gangrey: The PodcastFairfield University
College of Arts & Sciences
What skills will help Print Journalists earn the most?
Matt Tullis: I don't know if there is a definite answer to this, other than you just have to be willing to work hard to pull off amazing journalism. The more you do that, the more you move up the ranks.