Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters in the UK earned a median £44,534 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £5,495 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That ranks 101st of 382 occupations on this measure.
Median full-time pay: women £20.75 an hour, men £22.72 an hour.
Full-time paid hours are shorter than usual, a median of 35 a week.
ASHE counts roughly 19,000 employee jobs, 89% full-time.
Since 2021 the median has risen 49.0% (from £29,894), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 45,100 people in this line of work, 44% of them in London.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | – | £533.20 | £14.40 | – | £481.00* | £14.61 |
| 20th percentile | £32,484 | £601.50 | £15.93 | £29,113 | £562.50 | £15.78 |
| 25th percentile | £33,381 | £619.60 | £17.02 | £31,219 | £598.70 | £17.03 |
| 30th percentile | £34,386 | £656.90 | £17.52 | £32,705 | £614.60 | £17.53 |
| 40th percentile | £38,604* | £707.00* | £19.91 | £36,756* | £690.50 | £19.87 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £44,534* | £845.50 | £22.54* | £42,169* | £792.10* | £22.48 |
| 60th percentile | £49,959* | £935.40 | £26.62 | £49,123* | £921.00 | £26.22 |
| 70th percentile | £53,205* | £1,006.60 | £28.36 | £52,714* | £997.00 | £27.87 |
| 75th percentile | – | £1,029.30* | £29.39* | – | £1,021.30 | £28.98* |
| Mean | £47,720 | £883.60 | £24.15 | £44,599 | £834.50 | £24.10 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £29,894* | £599.10* | £15.98* | £28,781* | £543.90* | 9* |
| 2022 revised | £35,933* | £722.60* | £19.69 | £32,903* | £666.70* | 16* |
| 2023 revised | £42,046* | £783.60 | £20.44 | £41,484* | £778.00 | 21* |
| 2024 revised | £34,062* | £659.70* | £17.59* | £31,834* | £627.80* | 11* |
| 2025 provisional | £44,534* | £845.50 | £22.54* | £42,169* | £792.10* | 19* |
Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters by region
UK: 45,100 (± 8,200), April 2025 to March 2026. 11 of the 12 regions and nations have samples too small to publish.
| Region or nation | People in employment | 95% confidence interval |
|---|---|---|
| London | 19,700* | ± 7,200 |
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters do
Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters investigate and write up stories and features for broadcasting and for newspapers, magazines, news website and other periodicals. (ONS SOC 2020, 2492)
Also covers: broadcast journalist, digital journalist, journalist, online journalist, radio journalist, reporter, writer (newspaper publishing), court reporter, crossword compiler, data journalist, feature writer, features writer, foreign correspondent, freelance writer, leader writer, multimedia journalist, news writer and newspaper correspondent (33 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Determines subject matter and undertakes research by interviewing, attending public events, seeking out records, reviewing written work, attending film and stage performances etc
- Responds to stories as they break
- Writes articles and features and submits draft manuscripts to newspaper, magazine, new website, periodical or programme editor
- Engage with the public and disseminate news stories, lifestyle and opinion pieces through social media
- Builds contacts in their field to ensure a supply of news
- Sub-edits other journalists' stories
Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification. A variety of postgraduate diplomas is available. Vocational qualifications covering various aspects of journalism are available at levels 3 and 4.
Related
Media professionals (median £43,315) · Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors · Public relations professionals · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026