News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$60,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $62,200
State Rank
#13 of 48
1,060 employed here

How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists make in Illinois?

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists working in Illinois earn a median salary of $60,590 per year, or about $29.13 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $62,200 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $36,680 while the top 10% make $140,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,790 and $86,060 a year.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,680$17.63
25th percentile (early career)$42,790$20.57
50th percentile (median)$60,590$29.13
75th percentile (experienced)$86,060$41.38
90th percentile (top earners)$140,620$67.61

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 13th out of 48 states and territories for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$105,390
2New York$100,770
3Georgia$81,910
4Nevada$78,550
5Rhode Island$74,570

Working as News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois

Nationally, about 39,000 people work as News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($60,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists make in Illinois?
The median News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in Illinois is $60,590 per year, or about $29.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,680 at the entry level to $140,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists about 3% less than the national median of $62,200. Illinois ranks 13th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,590 a year. About 1,060 News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.