Media & Communications San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Journalist Salary in San Francisco, California

The median journalist salary in San Francisco, CA is $101,847 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$101,847
vs State Avg
+$24,622
vs National
+$45,887
Cost of Living
182%

Journalist Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level journalist earns around $63,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $182,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,700
+$28,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,560
+$47,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$182,000
+$82,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $58,240
25th Percentile $72,800
Median (50th) $101,847
75th Percentile $141,960
90th Percentile $200,200

Journalist Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Journalist in San Francisco

Education

Most journalist positions require a bachelor's degree. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

WritingInvestigative ResearchInterviewingAP StyleCMS PlatformsSocial Media

Job Outlook

Nationally, journalist employment is projected to grow -3% over the next decade (decline). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.