A Journalist is a professional who researches, writes, and reports news stories for various media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and digital platforms. They play a critical role in informing the public, shaping public opinion, and holding institutions accountable.
Education: Bachelor's degree
Years in related career: None
On-the-job training: None
Projected Growth: -3.3% (negative growth)
Annual job openings: 4,100
Direct AI exposure: 43% of tasks
Potential AI exposure: 83% of tasks
| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $62K per year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Bottom 25% | Median (average) | Top 25% | Top 10% |
| $36K per year | $45K per year | $62K per year | $98K per year | $144K per year |
| Compared to other careers: Median is $11K above the national average. | ||||
Journalists work in a variety of settings, including newsrooms, television studios, and in the field for reporting. The environment can be fast-paced and deadline-driven, often requiring irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to cover breaking news. Travel may be required for on-site reporting.
Journalism is a dynamic and impactful career that requires a combination of curiosity, skepticism, and the ability to communicate effectively. Journalists play a vital role in society by providing accurate and timely information to the public, often serving as watchdogs to hold power accountable. They must be adept at researching, interviewing, and crafting compelling narratives that engage and inform their audience.
The field of journalism has evolved with technology, leading to the growth of digital journalism and multimedia reporting. Journalists today must be versatile, often producing content for various platforms, including print, digital, video, and social media. The job can be demanding, with tight deadlines and the need to quickly adapt to changing news landscapes.
Despite the challenges, many find journalism a rewarding career due to its role in informing the public, shaping societal discourse, and the opportunity to cover a wide range of topics. Journalists often develop expertise in specific areas, allowing them to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of complex issues.
Most journalists have a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, which typically involves 4 years of post-secondary education. Internships or experience with college news media can be beneficial.
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.