SOC 2492 Business, media and public service professionals

Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters Salary

Median salary £42,169 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £42,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters, £44,534 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +14% versus the national average.

About this role

Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters research, write and produce content for publication or broadcast. They investigate stories, conduct interviews, verify facts and present information in formats appropriate to their medium — whether print, online, broadcast or multimedia.

Key responsibilities

Researching, investigating and verifying stories
Writing, editing or producing content for publication
Conducting interviews and building source networks
Meeting editorial deadlines and standards
Adapting content for different platforms and audiences

Qualifications and entry routes

A degree in journalism, English or a related field is common. NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) qualifications are the industry standard. Portfolio and work experience are essential.

Career outlook

Traditional media roles are declining, but digital, specialist and freelance journalism offer opportunities. Content creation skills are transferable to marketing and communications.

Key skills

News writing Research and investigation Interviewing Media law knowledge Digital content production

Common industries

National and regional media
Broadcast media
Digital media
Publishing
PR and communications

Data coverage

SOC code 2492

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 17,000

Median Salary

£42,169

Mean Salary

£44,599

Jobs (000s)

17k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £31,219Median: £42,169

P10: --P25: £31kMedian: £42kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£31,219

0-2 years

Mid Level

£31,219

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +46.5%Real growth: +18.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£42,169

Full-time Only

£44,534

Full-time premium: +£2,365

Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters salary: common questions

How much do newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters earn in the UK?

Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters earn a median of £44,534 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £44,534 a good salary in the UK?

For newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters, £44,534 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +14% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters?

Entry-level newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £31,219, though this varies by employer and region.

Have newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay has risen from £29,894 to £44,534 — +49% in cash terms, or +20% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).