Media & Communications Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Journalist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median journalist salary in Cleveland, OH is $48,126 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$48,126
vs State Avg
$-2,238
vs National
$-7,834
Cost of Living
86%

Journalist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median journalist salary of $48,126, which is $2,238 below the Ohio state average of $50,364. Compared to the national median of $55,960, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $48,126 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $55,960 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for journalists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for journalists in Cleveland spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $94,600 at the 90th percentile — a $67,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,100, while senior journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $86,000. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Journalist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level journalist earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $86,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$86,000
$-14,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $34,400
Median (50th) $48,126
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $94,600

Journalist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$53,162
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$50,364
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$47,006
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$45,887
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Journalist in Cleveland

Education

Most journalist positions require a bachelor's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio 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 Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Journalist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open journalist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Journalist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median journalist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $48,126 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $94,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,126, a journalist in Cleveland earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for journalist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median journalist salary of $48,126 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $50,364. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a journalist salary of $48,126 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in Cleveland? ▼
Most journalist positions in Cleveland 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.