News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in Illinois
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois earn a median of $60,590 a year ($29.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,620 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $62,200. Illinois ranks 13th of 48 states for news analysts, reporters, and journalists pay. There are 0.17 news analysts, reporters, and journalists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $87,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $42,790 | $20.57 |
| Median | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 75th percentile | $86,060 | $41.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,620 | $67.61 |
| Average (mean) | $87,560 | $42.10 |
Half of news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,330.38 |
| Weekly | $1,165.19 |
| Hourly | $29.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $70,350 | 660 |
| Peoria, IL | $53,540 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $49,920 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for news analysts, reporters, and journalists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,390 |
| New York | $100,770 |
| Georgia | $81,910 |
| Nevada | $78,550 |
| Rhode Island | $74,570 |
| Maryland | $63,680 |
| Michigan | $62,760 |
| Tennessee | $62,390 |
| Virginia | $62,140 |
| Utah | $61,880 |
See News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a news analysts, reporters, and journalists make in Illinois?
The median salary for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Illinois is $60,590 a year, or $29.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid news analysts, reporters, and journalists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Illinois earn at least $140,620 a year. The top 25% earn $86,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,680 a year, and a quarter of news analysts, reporters, and journalists earn $42,790 or less.
How many news analysts, reporters, and journalists work in Illinois?
About 1,060 news analysts, reporters, and journalists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.