News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Salary
In Washington, news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn $54,760 at the median, or about $26.33 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $53,681 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 48.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $55K get you in Washington?
About news analysts, reporters, and journalists
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What this looks like in Washington
Pay for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Washington runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $62K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 47.7% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for news analysts, reporters, and journalistss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level news analysts, reporters, and journalists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary by metro in Washington
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $59K | +8% | 500 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $48K | -13% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track news analysts, reporters, and journalists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a news analysts, reporters, and journalist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 47.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new news analysts, reporters, and journalists typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,350/month. At HUD’s $1,830/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 Washington?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $55K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for news analysts, reporters, and journalists?
Washington pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do news analysts, reporters, and journalists make in Washington?
The median is $54,760 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,160, and experienced news analysts, reporters, and journalists can clear $125,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,837/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 47.7% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $53,681 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.