How Much Do News Reporters Make a Year? 

In the modern world, news changes rapidly. You can find news everywhere – on TV, radio, social media, news portals, etc. A constant flow of reports makes it more complicated for news reporters to make their stories stand out. If you or your friend is obsessed with following the news and highlighting the most interesting ones, you should be interested in how much money news reporters make. This article answers the question “how much do news reporters make in the United States?” and highlights some of the most notable figures in the news-making industry everyone should have heard about.

What Does a News Reporter Do?

Let’s start the discussion about how much news reporters make by defining their duties and obligations.

News reporters are in charge of gathering and disseminating news and information to the public. They use various sources to gather information, including personal interviews, contacts, wire services, news briefings, and question-and-answer sessions. They then take this information and use it to create articles, broadcasts, and other media consumed by the public. News reporters are vital in informing the public about worldwide events and happenings. News reporters work for various news outlets such as newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, digital media, and online publications.

News reporters play an active role in gathering information on current events. They spend significant time investigating and researching news stories, often conducting interviews and visiting locations to collect firsthand information. Some reporters work as correspondents, which means they are based in a specific location, often far from the main office, and are responsible for covering events and news stories in that region. These correspondents are often sent to areas where important events are likely to occur, such as war zones, natural disasters, and political rallies. They are responsible for gathering information, conducting interviews, and reporting to their news organization to share the story with the public.

Reporting and editing are two essential components of news reporting. Reporters are responsible for gathering information and creating the story, while editors review, fact-check, and shape the story to fit the news outlet’s guidelines and style. The reporter’s job is to gather information through interviews, research, and other means and to report it clearly and accurately. The editor’s job is to review the story and make any necessary changes to ensure it is accurate, fair, and unbiased and fits the news outlet’s tone and style. Reporters and editors work together to ensure that the final story is informative and engaging for the audience.

A “beat” is a specific area or topic that a journalist covers, such as crime, politics, sports, or business. News reporters may work on one or multiple beats, depending on the size and structure of their news organization. Daily newspapers generally have shorter deadlines for their reporters, so reporters for dailies may focus on one specific beat to cover.

On the other hand, reporters for weekly newspapers typically have more time to research and report the news and may need to cover multiple beats. Additionally, reporters for weeklies may be responsible for taking photographs to accompany their stories.

Television and radio reporters often have less time to write and edit compared to their newspaper counterparts due to the nature of live broadcasting. News is often reported immediately after or during an event, requiring reporters to convert information into suitable news clips quickly. These reporters need to be able to deliver the information to the audience clearly and concisely, with minimal editing. They also need to think on their feet and adapt to changes in the story as it develops.

How Much Do News Reporters Make?

As of Jan 18, 2023, the average monthly payment for a NEWS Reporter in the United States is $2,743. If you wonder how much do news reporters make a year in the United States, the stats is put as follows. An average annual salary is  $32,919, or $16 per hour.

Based on information from ZipRecruiter, the typical salary range for news reporters in the United States is between $2,375 to $2,916 per month. This suggests that the pay for news reporters is generally consistent across different locations in the country. There may not be many opportunities for significant increases in salary or advancement, even with several years of experience. However, it’s worth noting that this information is based on a specific data source and should be taken as an approximation. Individual salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the size of the news organization.

Highest-Paying Cities for News Reporter Jobs

There are several cities in the United States where the average salary for a news reporter is higher than the national average. These include:

• San Mateo, CA
• Boston, MA
• Daly City, CA

Daly City, CA has an average salary of 15.8% higher than the national average, and San Mateo, CA has an average salary that is 17.5% higher than the national average. These cities offer relatively higher salaries than other cities in the country for News reporters.

The opportunities for economic advancement for news reporters appear to be good in the cities with higher-than-average salaries for this profession. By relocating to one of these cities, news reporters may be able to increase their earning potential. This is because the average salary for news reporters in these cities is higher than the national average, indicating that there may be a higher demand for skilled professionals in this field in those areas.

It’s worth noting that the average salary for these top ten cities varies only slightly, around 5% between the highest-paying city (San Mateo, CA) and the lowest-paying city on the list (Newark, NJ). This means that the potential for significant wage advancement may be limited when considering a change of location as a news reporter. However, another factor to consider is the cost of living, which can vary greatly from city to city. A lower cost of living may offset a lower salary and make a city a more financially viable option for a news reporter.

Top News Journalists with the Highest Salaries in the Industry

If would be logical to finish the narration on how much do news reporters make with a list of the best journalists in the news-making industry. 

Many talented and accomplished news journalists are working today. It can be difficult to single out the “best” ones. However, some influential reporters in the industry today include:

1. Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” Anderson Cooper is a well-known news anchor and journalist who has been with CNN since 2001. He hosts the popular news program “Anderson Cooper 360,” which has been airing on CNN since 2003. Cooper is also a correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS. 
2. Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Rachel Maddow is a political commentator, television host, and author hosting “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC since 2008. The show focuses on current events and politics and has become one of the most highly-rated programs on the network. Maddow is also a frequent guest on other news programs and a political commentator for NBC News. Maddow has been considered one of the highest-paid personalities on cable news, with an estimated salary of around $7 million annually.
3. Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News and host of “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams.” ​​Brian Williams has been a journalist and television anchor with NBC News since 1993. He is the anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” the network’s flagship evening news program, and also the host of “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams,” a news and analysis program that airs on MSNBC. Williams has won multiple awards during his career, including several Emmys and a duPont-Columbia award. Williams had an estimated salary of around $10 million a year. However, this information may be outdated, and the current salary of Brian Williams is not public information. It’s also worth mentioning that in 2015, Williams was suspended from NBC Nightly News for six months after it was revealed that he had exaggerated some of his reporting experiences.
4. Chris Wallace, anchor of “Fox News Sunday.” Chris Wallace is a journalist and television anchor who has been with Fox News since 2003. He is the anchor of “Fox News Sunday,” a Sunday morning political talk show on Fox News. He is also a regular anchor for Fox News’ political events and election coverage. Before joining Fox News, Wallace worked for NBC and ABC News. He is well respected for his journalistic approach and ability to conduct in-depth interviews, even with high-profile figures.
5. Christiane Amanpour, chief international anchor for CNN. Christiane Amanpour is a journalist and television anchor who has been with CNN since 1983. She is the network’s chief international anchor and has reported on major international events and conflicts throughout her career. Amanpour is also a global affairs correspondent for ABC News. She is known for her hard-hitting interviews and coverage of war-torn countries and human rights issues. Amanpour has won multiple awards for her work, including several Peabody Awards and an Emmy.
6. David Muir, anchor of ABC World News Tonight. David Muir is a journalist and television anchor who has been with ABC News since 2003. He is the anchor of “ABC World News Tonight,” the network’s flagship evening news program. He also serves as a co-anchor on the newsmagazine 20/20 and as a substitute anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America. Muir has reported on major news events and interviewed world leaders and other high-profile figures. David Muir’s salary was not public information. Still, as a veteran journalist and anchor of one of the most-watched evening news programs in the US, he likely receives a high salary. He is considered one of the most well-known and respected anchors in the news industry.
7. Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News. Lester Holt has been a journalist and television anchor with NBC News since 2000. He is the anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” the network’s flagship evening news program. He is also a substitute anchor for “Today” and “Dateline NBC.” Holt has reported on major news events and interviewed world leaders and other high-profile figures. He is known for his calm and composed delivery, even in high-pressure situations.
8. Megyn Kelly, former anchor of Fox News. Megyn Kelly is a journalist, television anchor, and former attorney with Fox News from 2004 to 2017. She hosted several programs on the network, including “The Kelly File,” one of the most highly-rated programs on Fox News. She also served as a co-anchor on “America’s Newsroom” and as a substitute anchor on “The O’Reilly Factor.” Kelly is known for her hard-hitting interviews and political and news events coverage. Megyn Kelly’s salary was around $15 million annually at Fox News. However, Kelly left Fox News in 2017 to join NBC News, but her tenure at NBC was short-lived, and she left the network in 2018.
9. Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg News. Michael Bloomberg is a businessman, politician, and philanthropist who founded Bloomberg L.P., a financial services, software, and mass media company. Bloomberg L.P. operates Bloomberg News, a global news organization that provides news, data, and analysis to business and financial professionals. With a net worth that surpasses $60 billion, it’s safe to say that Michael Bloomberg earns a substantial salary.
10. Wolf Blitzer, anchor of CNN’s “The Situation Room.” Wolf Blitzer is a journalist and television anchor who has been with CNN since 1990. He is the anchor of “The Situation Room,” a daily news program covering breaking news and analysis of current events. He is the network’s lead political anchor and anchors special events coverage. Blitzer has reported on major news events and interviewed world leaders and other high-profile figures. He is known for his in-depth analysis and ability to explain complex issues clearly and concisely.

These journalists have made a significant impact in the industry, have a wealth of experience, and have built a reputation for reliable and trustworthy reporting.