Media & Communications San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Journalist Salary in San Jose, California

The median journalist salary in San Jose, CA is $94,013 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median and 21.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$94,013
vs State Avg
+$16,788
vs National
+$38,053
Cost of Living
168%

Journalist Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level journalist earns around $58,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $168,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,800
+$23,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,440
+$39,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$168,000
+$68,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $53,760
25th Percentile $67,200
Median (50th) $94,013
75th Percentile $131,040
90th Percentile $184,800

Journalist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$101,847
Pop. 873,965
Los Angeles, CA
$81,702
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$79,463
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$66,033
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Journalist in San Jose

Education

Most journalist positions require a bachelor's degree. San Jose 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 Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Journalist Jobs in San Jose

Browse open journalist positions in San Jose, CA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in San Jose

How much does a Journalist make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median journalist salary in San Jose, California is $94,013 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $53,760 (10th percentile) to $184,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $94,013, a journalist in San Jose earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for journalist pay? ▼
San Jose's median journalist salary of $94,013 is 21.7% above the California state average of $77,225. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a journalist salary of $94,013 in San Jose has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in San Jose? ▼
Most journalist positions in San Jose require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Writing, Investigative Research, Interviewing, AP Style. The job market is projected to grow -3% nationally over the next decade.