News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Salary
In Georgia, news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn $81,910 at the median, or about $39.38 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $89,139 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 27.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Georgia?
About news analysts, reporters, and journalists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Georgia
Georgia sits well above the national pay line for news analysts, reporters, and journalists, local pay runs about 32% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,434/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Georgia
Entry-level news analysts, reporters, and journalists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $123K spread from bottom to top.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary by metro in Georgia
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $85K | +4% | 1,090 |
| Savannah | $59K | -28% | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $47K | -43% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a news analysts, reporters, and journalist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 27.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new news analysts, reporters, and journalists typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,297/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 62% 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 Georgia?
Local pay is 32% above the national median — $82K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for news analysts, reporters, and journalists?
Georgia pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +32%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do news analysts, reporters, and journalists make in Georgia?
The median is $81,910 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,280, and experienced news analysts, reporters, and journalists can clear $161,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,164/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary go in Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary is worth about $89,139 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.