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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$47,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $62,200
State Rank
#33 of 48
370 employed here

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

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Kentucky take home a median of $47,530 annually — roughly $22.85 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $62,200.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $29,320 while the top 10% make $103,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,940 and $71,760 a year.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,320$14.10
25th percentile (early career)$34,940$16.80
50th percentile (median)$47,530$22.85
75th percentile (experienced)$71,760$34.50
90th percentile (top earners)$103,670$49.84

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 33rd 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($47,530) 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 Kentucky?
The median News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in Kentucky is $47,530 per year, or about $22.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,320 at the entry level to $103,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists about 24% less than the national median of $62,200. Kentucky ranks 33rd out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,530 a year. About 370 News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.