Media & Communications Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Journalist Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median journalist salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $52,043 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$52,043
vs State Avg
$-1,679
vs National
$-3,917
Cost of Living
93%

Journalist Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level journalist earns around $32,550, while experienced professionals earn up to $93,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,550
$-2,450 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,940
$-4,060 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$93,000
$-7,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $29,760
25th Percentile $37,200
Median (50th) $52,043
75th Percentile $72,540
90th Percentile $102,300

Journalist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$57,079
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$52,602
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$49,245
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$47,006
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Journalist in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Journalist Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open journalist positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Journalist make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median journalist salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $52,043 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $29,760 (10th percentile) to $102,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,043, a journalist in Pittsburgh earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for journalist pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median journalist salary of $52,043 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $53,722. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a journalist salary of $52,043 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most journalist positions in Pittsburgh 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.