How much does a news analyst make?
The median news analyst in the United States earns $62,200 per year, about $29.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all news analysts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-3023.
News analyst salary range
Pay for news analysts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $144,140. The average (mean) wage of $102,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,240 | $17.42 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,370 | $21.81 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,200 | $29.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,450 | $47.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $144,140 | $69.30 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for news analysts, reporters, and journalists (SOC 27-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
News analyst salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. News analysts earn the most in District of Columbia at $105,390 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $35,280. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,390 | 1,720 |
| New York | $100,770 | 5,750 |
| Georgia | $81,910 | 1,520 |
| Nevada | $78,550 | 370 |
| Rhode Island | $74,570 | 150 |
| Maryland | $63,680 | 580 |
| Michigan | $62,760 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $62,390 | 600 |
| Virginia | $62,140 | 1,110 |
| Utah | $61,880 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $61,620 | 470 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | 590 |
| Illinois | $60,590 | 1,060 |
| New Jersey | $59,830 | 500 |
| Florida | $58,730 | 2,490 |
| North Carolina | $58,670 | 930 |
| Wisconsin | $57,530 | 740 |
| Hawaii | $56,730 | 120 |
| Delaware | $55,600 | 70 |
| Washington | $54,760 | 880 |
| New Mexico | $54,610 | 170 |
| Idaho | $51,190 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $50,750 | 410 |
| Maine | $50,090 | 250 |
| Oregon | $49,200 | 410 |
| Texas | $48,470 | 2,670 |
| New Hampshire | $48,450 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $48,210 | 400 |
| Montana | $47,960 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $47,940 | 480 |
| Ohio | $47,880 | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $47,610 | 530 |
| Kentucky | $47,530 | 370 |
| Vermont | $46,970 | 90 |
| Missouri | $46,920 | 480 |
| Minnesota | $46,490 | 510 |
| Kansas | $45,870 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $45,240 | 310 |
| Alaska | $43,820 | 90 |
| Iowa | $43,540 | 590 |
| South Dakota | $43,520 | 190 |
| Alabama | $43,440 | 530 |
| North Dakota | $43,420 | 160 |
| Arizona | $43,100 | 450 |
| Nebraska | $40,420 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $37,450 | 260 |
| Wyoming | $36,040 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $35,280 | 190 |
State median wages for news analysts, reporters, and journalists (SOC 27-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for news analysts
The BLS projects employment of news analysts to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 47,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 44,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,400 openings a year for news analysts. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a news analyst
The typical entry-level education for news analysts is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a news analyst earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $105,390) and the lowest (West Virginia, $35,280) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 39,250 people work as news analysts in the United States. At $62,200 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
News analyst salary FAQ
How much does a news analyst make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a news analyst is $29.91. The middle half of news analysts earn between $21.81 and $47.33 per hour.
What is the highest news analyst salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of news analysts earn more than $144,140 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a news analyst make a year?
The median annual salary for a news analyst is $62,200. The average (mean) wage of $102,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a news analyst a well paid job?
At $62,200 a year, a news analyst earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 39,250 people work as news analysts in the United States.
Which state pays news analysts the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for news analysts at $105,390 a year. New York ($100,770) and Georgia ($81,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a news analyst a good career?
Employment of news analysts is projected to shrink 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a news analyst?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for news analysts as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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