Business journalists in the United States earn nearly $18,000 more than their peers, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism, based in Phoenix.
Of the 63.9% of business journalists surveyed who state their position as reporter/correspondent, the median salary was $66,204.
Other key findings from the survey include
• Over half of the survey respondents, 53%, identified as female illustrating a strong representation of women in business journalism. Sadly, the median salary for female reporters/correspondents lagged behind males by $9,167, with women earning $62,498 compared to men’s $71,665.
• The wage gap between females and males persists in higher-level editing and managerial positions with female editors or managers earning a median of $79,996 compared to men’s $101,997. The survey results indicate the gender wage gap could narrow in years to come.
• Survey respondents’ racial background was 80.8% White, 4.7% Black, 5.5% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 4.7% multiracial, demonstrating a significant need to mentor, recruit, retain and promote journalists of color.
• A combined median income for editors and managers in business reporting was reported at $98,331.
The Reynolds Center reached out to business journalists throughout the country earlier this year, from large publications as well as smaller regional newspapers and media organizations and SABEW members; 236 journalists responded. The last time the Center conducted a similar salary survey was in 2012.
Read the survey results.
|