Media & Communications San Antonio, TX Pop. 1,434,625

Journalist Salary in San Antonio, Texas

The median journalist salary in San Antonio, TX is $49,245 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Texas state average.

City Median
$49,245
vs State Avg
$-2,238
vs National
$-6,715
Cost of Living
88%

Journalist Pay in San Antonio: What to Expect (2026)

San Antonio offers a median journalist salary of $49,245, which is $2,238 below the Texas state average of $51,483. Compared to the national median of $55,960, San Antonio pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of San Antonio's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $49,245 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $55,960 in an average-cost city. This makes San Antonio an attractive option for journalists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for journalists in San Antonio spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $96,800 at the 90th percentile — a $68,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,800, while senior journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $88,000. As a major metro area with a population of 1,434,625, San Antonio typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Journalist Salary in San Antonio by Experience

In San Antonio, an entry-level journalist earns around $30,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $88,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Antonio, TX

Percentile San Antonio
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $35,200
Median (50th) $49,245
75th Percentile $68,640
90th Percentile $96,800

Journalist Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$58,758
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$55,960
Pop. 1,304,379
Houston, TX
$53,722
Pop. 2,304,580
Fort Worth, TX
$51,483
Pop. 918,915

How to Become a Journalist in San Antonio

Education

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

Find Journalist Jobs in San Antonio

Browse open journalist positions in San Antonio, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in San Antonio

How much does a Journalist make in San Antonio, TX? ▼
The median journalist salary in San Antonio, Texas is $49,245 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $96,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in San Antonio? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,245, a journalist in San Antonio earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Antonio compare to the Texas state average for journalist pay? ▼
San Antonio's median journalist salary of $49,245 is 4.3% below the Texas state average of $51,483. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Antonio, TX? ▼
San Antonio has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a journalist salary of $49,245 in San Antonio has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in San Antonio? ▼
Most journalist positions in San Antonio 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.