Journalist

What does a journalist do?

• Find story ideas through research, contacts, press releases and events.
• Interview people in person, by phone or online, and record what they say accurately.
• Check facts, documents and sources before publishing.
• Write articles, scripts or posts to tight deadlines.
• Record audio, video and photos for online and broadcast stories.
• Work with editors to improve stories and follow legal and ethical rules.
• Build and protect relationships with sources.

Where do they work?

Journalists work for newspapers, magazines, news websites, news agencies, broadcasters, podcasts and specialist trade publications. Many work freelance, selling stories to several outlets. The job mixes office or remote work with reporting in the field, for example at courts, local councils, events and disaster areas, and sometimes in conflict zones. Hours are irregular because news happens at any time, so evening, weekend and shift work is common. In some countries journalists face harassment or real risks to their safety.

What skills do you need?

• Clear, accurate writing
• Interviewing and listening
• Research and fact-checking
• Media law and ethics
• Audio, video and social media skills
• Working fast under deadline pressure
• Curiosity and persistence
• Data skills for investigative reporting

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• write to a deadline
• apply grammar and spelling rules
• follow the news
• evaluate writings in response to feedback
• study topics
• stay up to date with social media
• interview people
• use specific writing techniques
• participate in editorial meetings
• develop professional network
• build contacts to maintain news flow
• follow ethical code of conduct of journalists

Essential knowledge: editorial standards · copyright legislation · interview techniques · writing techniques · spelling · grammar

How do you become a journalist?

Many journalists have a degree in journalism, media or communications. Others study subjects such as politics, economics, history, science or languages and then add journalism training, often through a postgraduate course. In all cases, practical experience is essential. Student media, blogs, podcasts, local news, internships and freelance work help you build a portfolio of published stories. In some countries, employers value qualifications from accredited journalism training bodies. Specialist knowledge, a second language or data skills can help you stand out.

1. University degree. A bachelor's degree in journalism or media teaches reporting, writing, media law and ethics, often with practical work in student newsrooms. Degrees in politics, economics, history, languages or science are also useful, especially for specialist reporting. Choose a course that includes practical training and work placements.
2. Postgraduate course or trainee scheme. Graduates of other subjects often take a one-year postgraduate journalism course. Some broadcasters, news agencies and newspapers run paid trainee schemes that combine training with real work, such as the traineeships common in German-speaking countries. Places on these schemes are limited and competitive.
3. Freelance or self-built route. Some journalists start by writing for local or specialist publications, running their own newsletters, blogs or podcasts, or pitching stories as freelancers. This can build a portfolio and contacts without formal training. However, income is often unstable at first, and you must learn media law and ethics to avoid legal problems.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Journalism and media studies

  A journalism and media studies degree teaches how news and media content is researched, produced and shared, and how media shapes society.

  5 linked careers

• English literature

  An English literature degree teaches you to read, analyse and write about novels, poetry, plays and other texts written in English, from medieval writing to the present day.

  6 linked careers

• Politics

  A politics degree, often called political science, studies how power works: how governments are chosen and run, how laws and policies are made, and why people and countries cooperate or come into conflict.

  6 linked careers

• History

  A history degree studies how societies, cultures, economies and ideas have changed over time, using evidence such as documents, objects and people's memories.

  6 linked careers

• International relations

  An international relations degree studies how countries, international organisations, businesses and other groups interact across borders.

  5 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a journalist?

Journalism is open in most countries, and there is no licence to practise, partly to protect press freedom. Some countries issue official press cards or accreditation to access government events, courts or parliament, and a few governments require journalists or media outlets to register. Laws on defamation, privacy, reporting on court cases and protecting sources differ widely between countries. Professional codes of ethics are usually voluntary, but many employers expect you to follow them.

How much does a journalist earn?

Pay in the United States

• $62,200Median annual wage, May 2025
• $36,240–$144,140Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 39.3KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 27-3023, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes journalist and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Trainee or junior reporter
2. Reporter or journalist
3. Senior or specialist correspondent
4. Editor or producer
5. Editor-in-chief or head of news

Job outlook

The news industry has changed greatly as readers and advertising moved online. Many local newspapers have closed or cut staff, and full-time jobs are scarce and competitive in many countries. At the same time, there is demand for digital, video, audio and data journalism, and for specialist reporting in areas such as science, finance and technology. AI tools are changing research and production, while trust and careful verification matter more than ever. Many journalists combine reporting with freelance, teaching or communications work.

Questions about becoming a journalist

Do you need a journalism degree to become a journalist?

No. Many journalists studied other subjects, such as politics, history, economics or science, and learned journalism through postgraduate courses, trainee schemes or practical experience. What matters most is a portfolio of published work, strong writing and knowledge of media law and ethics. A journalism degree helps by giving you training and newsroom experience.

How do you get into journalism with no experience?

Start by publishing your own work. Write for student or local media, start a newsletter, blog or podcast, and pitch stories to publications. Apply for internships and work experience in newsrooms, and learn basic media law. Early work is often unpaid or poorly paid in many countries, so plan for that.

Is journalism a dying career?

Journalism is not disappearing, but it is changing. Traditional print jobs have declined, and many outlets have cut staff, so competition for full-time roles is strong. Digital, audio, video, data and specialist journalism offer new opportunities. Many journalists now work across several formats or combine freelance reporting with other work.

What is the difference between a journalist and a writer?

Journalists report on real events and people, and their work must be factual, checked and fair. Writers may produce fiction, non-fiction books, scripts or marketing content, and often have more freedom in style and subject. The skills overlap, and many journalists also write books or move into public relations and communications roles.

Related careers

• Writer

  Writers create written work such as novels, non-fiction books, scripts, poems, articles, advertising copy and website content.

  Degree optional

• Public relations officer

  Public relations (PR) officers manage how an organisation communicates with the public, the media and other groups.

  Degree often expected

• Translator

  Translators turn written text from one language into another, keeping the meaning, tone and purpose accurate.

  Degree often expected

• Digital marketer

  Digital marketers promote products, services and organisations online through search engines, social media, email, websites and online advertising.

  Degree often expected

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 27-3023, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2642.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a journalist: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/journalist/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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