News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Salary
In Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn $85,040 at the median, or about $40.89 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.06), that's roughly $84,989 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,820/month, about 33.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $85K get you in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell’s Regional Price Parity (100.06). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About news analysts, reporters, and journalists
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What this looks like in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell sits well above the national pay line for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,820/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.06) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in metros near Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County | $47K | $51K |
| Savannah | $59K | $62K |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $66K | $57K |
| Jacksonville | $57K | $57K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Entry-level news analysts, reporters, and journalists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $122K spread from bottom to top.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105K | +69% | 1,720 |
| New York | $101K | +62% | 5,750 |
| Georgia | $82K | +32% | 1,520 |
| Nevada | $79K | +26% | 370 |
| Rhode Island | $75K | +20% | 150 |
| Maryland | $64K | +2% | 580 |
| Michigan | $63K | +1% | 960 |
| Tennessee | $62K | +0% | 600 |
| Virginia | $62K | -0% | 1,110 |
| Utah | $62K | -1% | 240 |
| Connecticut | $62K | -1% | 470 |
| Colorado | $61K | -2% | 590 |
| Illinois | $61K | -3% | 1,060 |
| New Jersey | $60K | -4% | 500 |
| Florida | $59K | -6% | 2,490 |
| North Carolina | $59K | -6% | 930 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -8% | 740 |
| Hawaii | $57K | -9% | 120 |
| Delaware | $56K | -11% | 70 |
| Washington | $55K | -12% | 880 |
| New Mexico | $55K | -12% | 170 |
| Idaho | $51K | -18% | 220 |
| Louisiana | $51K | -18% | 410 |
| Maine | $50K | -19% | 250 |
| Oregon | $49K | -21% | 410 |
| Texas | $48K | -22% | 2,670 |
| New Hampshire | $48K | -22% | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $48K | -22% | 400 |
| Montana | $48K | -23% | 290 |
| South Carolina | $48K | -23% | 480 |
| Ohio | $48K | -23% | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $48K | -23% | 530 |
| Kentucky | $48K | -24% | 370 |
| Vermont | $47K | -24% | 90 |
| Missouri | $47K | -25% | 480 |
| Minnesota | $46K | -25% | 510 |
| Kansas | $46K | -26% | 400 |
| Mississippi | $45K | -27% | 310 |
| Alaska | $44K | -30% | 90 |
| Iowa | $44K | -30% | 590 |
| South Dakota | $44K | -30% | 190 |
| Alabama | $43K | -30% | 530 |
| North Dakota | $43K | -30% | 160 |
| Arizona | $43K | -31% | 450 |
| Nebraska | $40K | -35% | 350 |
| Arkansas | $37K | -40% | 260 |
| Wyoming | $36K | -42% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $35K | -43% | 190 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
Can a news analysts, reporters, and journalist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 34.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,820/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new news analysts, reporters, and journalists typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,345/month. At HUD’s $1,820/month FMR, rent would take 78% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is news analysts, reporters, and journalist a high-paying job in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $85K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell compare to the national average for news analysts, reporters, and journalists?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do news analysts, reporters, and journalists make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median is $85,040 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,080, and experienced news analysts, reporters, and journalists can clear $161,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,333/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,820/month, which eats 34.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary go in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has a Regional Price Parity of 100.06 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary is worth about $84,989 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do news analysts, reporters, and journalists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.