What is the Salary of a Journalist in India?

Journalism is one of the most prestigious career options in India. This is because it plays a vital role in shaping public opinion. It has a significant impact on it. That also explains why professionals like news anchors in India earn an average annual salary of INR 19.7 lakhs. Even as the media landscape continues to grow, demand for skilled journalists who can deliver engaging, credible content is at an all-time high. 

Nowadays, there are plenty of opportunities in mass media and professional settings for aspiring journalists, including digital newsrooms, print, and broadcast media. Understanding the factors and trends that help shape the media landscape can help you take advantage of the best opportunities, especially if you’re an aspiring journalist. Read on to learn more.         

Factors Affecting a Journalist’s Salary   

A journalist’s salary in India depends on various factors, such as the following:

• Experience Level
• Skillset 
• Media Type
• Employer Reputation
• Geographic Location

Let us explore these factors further:

Experience 

This is the most prominent factor influencing a journalist’s salary in India. Experienced journalists typically earn significantly higher than entry-level professionals in the domain, such as junior reporters and trainees. This applies especially to those who have proven track records in investigative storytelling and reporting.

Usually, when you begin such a career, you are building your credibility and skills. However, with time, you can progress to roles such as senior correspondent, news anchor, and editor. These profiles may have added responsibilities, but the salaries are much higher as well. 

Expertise and Skills 

If you have specialized skills in data journalism, digital reporting, multimedia storytelling, or investigative reporting, you can command higher salaries. This is because these skills are in high demand in the competitive market.

Media Type 

Broadcast and digital media usually offer higher salaries than conventional print journalism. 

Also Read: Tips for Establishing a Successful Career in Broadcast Journalism

Employer Standing 

The top media houses with significant revenue and reach often offer higher salary packages than the regional and smaller outlets. Prominent names in this regard include News18, NDTV, Hindustan Times, and The Times of India. These houses offer additional perks, too! 

Location 

You will earn higher salaries in metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi than in regional areas or smaller towns. 

Job Role and Specialization 

Specific job roles in journalism and mass media earn more than others because they carry greater responsibilities, which require more skills, which, in turn, command higher salaries. Investigative journalists, anchors, and editors earn more than general reporters.

Similarly, if you specialize in politics, business, sports, technology, or international affairs, you receive higher salaries for your expertise. 

Also Read: Top career options after MA in Journalism & Mass Communication

Salary Based on Media Type

An essential part of learning how to become a journalist in India is understanding the salaries you can expect in different types of media. The type of media you work in – print, digital, or broadcast – has a significant effect on your salary. This is because each platform has a unique structure, revenue model, and audience reach.

These factors directly influence how they compensate the journalists they hire. 

Print Journalism 

Print journalism, including magazines and newspapers, still offers you stable career opportunities. However, salaries here are lower than in digital or electronic media. 

The media house you work for also plays a significant role here. For example, work for a reputable national daily such as The Hindu, Hindustan Times, or The Times of India. You will earn more than a sub-editor or an entry-level journalist at a regional publication. 

Your salary will increase if you work as a senior editor or if you are a columnist with a strong portfolio. 

Broadcast Media 

Working in broadcast media, such as radio and television, usually offers higher pay than in print journalism. This is because you need public presentation skills for both these forms of media – the visual nature of television also plays a significant role here. 

In this sphere, if you work at national channels like NDTV, Aaj Tak, or ABP News, you will earn more than someone working in entry-level positions in smaller TV networks. 

Digital Media 

Digital platforms have now become a significant source of income and employment, driven by the growth of online journalism. If you work for the top news websites, content platforms, and social media outlets, you will receive competitive pay. This is especially true when you have SEO and/or multimedia skills. 

You must have such information if you want to know how to become a journalist.

Read More: Role of podcasts in modern journalism education

Career Growth and Salary Progression

These days, journalists in India can experience strong growth and excellent monthly salaries. Most of the credit in this case goes to the booming digital media sector. Over here, you have varied pathways with broadcast and traditional print media still being the most prominent.

• Apart from these, you can work as an independent content creator or specialize in areas like data journalism, social media, and podcasts. 
• Along with the expansion of digital media, you have other avenues for growth, such as specialization, multimedia storytelling, and independent journalism. 
• With the growth of online portals, blogs, and social media, you can work as content creators, social media managers, and online reporters as well. 
• As part of your career progress, you could go up to working in senior roles from entry-level jobs. If you start as a specialized reporter, you can become an analyst. You might also move on to creative roles in this regard. 
• The most important factors that can help you progress and earn a higher monthly journalist salary are adaptability, portfolio building, skill development, and networking. 

Job Roles and Salary Details 

The following industries usually offer the highest journalist salaries in India:

• Media 
• Broadcasting 
• Publishing 
• Marketing 
• Market Research 
• Public Relations 
• News Agencies 
• Content Creation 
• Digital Media 

The table below demonstrates the different job roles you can land with a degree in journalism and mass communication, and the journalist salaries in India for those roles:

Job Role	Annual Average Salary
News Anchor	INR 19.7L
Social Media Manager	INR 15L
News Editor	INR 12.7L
Anchor	INR 8.6L
Content Marketer	INR 7.4L
TV Producer	INR 6.9L
Public Relations Specialist	INR 5.53L
Film Director	INR 5.3L
Screenwriting	INR 5.09L

An Interesting Read: Mastering Communication in the Digital Era

Additional Benefits and Perks

Along with knowing what a mass communication course is, you should also have a clear idea of the extra perks and benefits you can receive as a journalist in India. These include access to exclusive events, media accreditation for news conferences, and the potential for government transportation and housing. 

• Many state governments in India offer pension benefits to retired journalists and provide them with financial assistance for treatment. 
• With an accreditation or press card, you can gain access to events, interviews with public figures, and media centers that the general public cannot access as easily.
• Some government schemes over the years have provided journalists with land and/or housing flats. 
• You might also get discounts on bus and/or rail, or avail yourself of such services for free. 
• Journalists can buy essential media equipment, such as computers and cameras, at lower prices. 
• With a press card, you can gain discounts on hotel rates and travel tickets when you attend events. 
• As a journalist, you will often be provided with access to exclusive events such as concerts, rallies, and exhibitions. 
• The profession provides you with a public platform, a sense of social contribution, and overall credibility. 
• In this job, you get many opportunities to travel, gain diverse cultural experiences, and meet new people. 
• Journalists get to interact with influential people and thus build broad professional networks. 
• You can also work as a content creator or start a business independently, thanks to the media landscape and the gig economy now. 
• Apart from these, you also receive government financial assistance and myriad opportunities for skill development.

Also Check: Career in Journalism: How an online MA is an ideal option

Conclusion 

A journalist’s salary in India depends on factors such as experience, media type, and specialization. With the rapid expansion of digital platforms, skilled professionals can now get more opportunities and enhance their pay prospects. These factors have made journalism a rewarding and evolving career for those passionate about storytelling and truth.

However, to land these jobs, you need proper education – you must know what a mass communication course is. This is where the online Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication program of Manipal University Jaipur can be so helpful for you. The program, available on Online Manipal, equips you with the skills, knowledge, and training you need to be a successful journalist. 

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FAQs

1. What is the average salary of a journalist in India?  

This depends on the job role you work in. For example, as a news anchor, you can earn an annual average salary up to INR 19.7 lakhs. 

2. Which type of media offers the highest salary for journalists?

Among the various media types in India, broadcast journalism offers the highest salaries. You can also earn well as a journalist if you specialize in domains like politics, investigative reporting, and business.

3. Do TV news anchors earn more than print journalists?

Yes, TV news anchors usually earn more than print journalists, and this is a significant difference we are referring to over here. This is primarily due to the broadcast industry’s higher revenue.

4. How does experience affect a journalist’s salary?

Experience tends to boost a journalist’s salary. This is because experience enables you to assume more complex leadership roles with greater responsibility. This leads to increasing compensation with time. 

5. Do freelance journalists earn well in India?

The earnings of freelance journalists in India vary significantly. The most important factors here are experience, platform, and specialization. If you work in specialized areas like international work and digital media, you earn the most.

6. What qualifications are required to become a journalist in India?

To be a journalist in India, you must have a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, preceded by a 12th-grade education from an authorized board. Master’s degrees are needed for specialized domains.