Salary of Journalists in India 2025- Reporter Average Salary per month, Perks and Allowances

Salary of Journalists in India 2025- Reporter Average Salary per month, Perks and Allowances

14 mins read59.4K Views Comment
Aayushi
Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive
Updated on May 30, 2025 15:31 IST

Wondering what salary a career in Journalism can get you? Take reference from the salaries of these famous journalists. 

Salary of Journalists

Salary of Journalists in India 2025

Salary of Journalists in India 2025- Job opportunities in the fields of mass media and journalism have increased exponentially over the last few years. This can be credited to the digital transformation of media and the rise of internet consumption. Journalism was earlier limited mainly to print, film & TV media. Now, it has made its way to digital media as well. New digital platforms have allowed new media channels and brand names in the field of journalism. Big names (media houses, channels, newspapers, brands) that have been around forever have also entered the digital space and have websites, multiple social media handles and a strong online presence overall.

The opportunities on content creation platforms, news websites, blogs, and independent journalism are only increasing every day. Due to this rise, high school graduates and college graduates are keen on pursuing journalism. However, there are certain questions about the field that pop into their heads. Before committing to it, they need to know what the salary of journalists is, how much a reporter earns in a year, what the job security is like, what the challenges are in jobs for journalists, etc. In this article, we will address some of these questions. Learn more in the article below. 

Also read:

Table of content
  • What is the Salary of a Journalist?
  • Salary of a Journalist as per Specialisation
  • Salary of a Journalist as per Designation
  • Salary of a Journalist as per Qualification
  • Salary of a Journalist as per Media Organisation
  • Salary of a Journalist as per City
  • Salary of the Best Journalists in India
  • How to Become a Journalist in India?
  • Scope of Journalism in India
  • Benefits and Perks for Journalists Beyond Salary
  • FAQs on Salary of Journalists
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What is the Salary of a Journalist?

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The salary of a journalist is based on various factors. These factors include their education, their experience during internships, former jobs, etc. If the student has qualified from a top mass communication college in India, the chances of getting a good package from the get-go are higher. Where they intern and go on to work also adds value to their work profile. Considering these facts, the starting salary of a journalist can be anywhere between INR 20,000 and 25,000.

It can be said that the starting salary of journalists per annum can be around INR 3 lacs to 5 lacs. The salary of journalists keeps increasing with experience and skills. Some of the most famous journalists in India like Arnab Goswami, Ravish Kumar, and Sudhir Choudhary, earn crores apart from the various perks they receive such as house accommodation, chauffeured cars, various other facilities like medical benefits and reimbursements.

Salary of a Journalist as per Specialisation

The salaries of different kinds of journalists are mentioned in the table below.

Specializations

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Investigative Journalist

INR 5-6 Lacs

Broadcast Journalist

INR 5-6 Lacs

Print Journalist

INR 4-5 Lacs

Crime Journalist

INR 6-7 Lacs

Sports Journalist

INR 6-7 Lacs

Lifestyle Journalist

INR 6-7 Lacs

Photojournalist

INR 4-5 Lacs

Political Journalist

INR 6-7 Lacs

Salary of a Journalist as per Designation

Salaries of journalists based on their position are provided in the table below.

Designations

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Editor in Chief

INR 15-17 Lacs

Managing Director

INR 8-9 Lacs

Assignment Editor

INR 4-5 Lacs

News Editors

INR 6-7 Lacs

Visual Production Specialist

INR 6-7 Lacs

Sub Editors

INR 4-5 Lacs

Salary of a Journalist as per Qualification

The salaries of journalists based on their educational qualifications are mentioned below.

Qualifications

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Postgraduate Courses

INR 8-9 Lacs

Certificate Courses

INR 3-4 Lacs

Diploma Courses

INR 4-5 Lacs

Undergraduate Courses

INR 6-7 Lacs

Also read:

Salary of a Journalist as per Media Organisation

Different companies and organisations have different reputations and statuses in the industry. The average annual packages offered by some popular names are provided below.

Q:   What is the JMI Entrance Exam?
A:

JMI Entrance Exam is conducted for admissions to various courses offered at Jamia Millia Islamia on the undergraduate and postgraduate level across a number of different streams like Science, Arts, Law, etc. The test is designed for each course separately.

The duration of the test for each test may also vary. Same goes for the types of questions. While most test papers feature objective-type questions, test papers for courses like Journalism, Psychology, Mass Communication, and language courses feature both objective and subjective type questions. 

Once aspirants apply for the JMI Entrance Exam for their desired course, they are issued admit cards which details their exam day instructions along with the exam dates, reporting times, exam centre addresses, etc. The JMI Entrance Exam application fee is INR 700 for some courses and INR 550 for others. Find out more here

Q:   How many times the JMI Entrance Exam is conducted in a year?
A:

The JMI Entrance Exam is conducted only once in a year. The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University conducts the Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam to shortlist candidates for admission in various Undergraduate (Bachelor), Postgraduate (Master), PG Diploma Advanced Diploma, M.Phil Ph.D. and Certificate courses offered through various faculty members/departments/centres such as Engineering, Architecture & Planning, Hospitality & Travel, Animation, Mass Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences, Languages, Commerce, Natural Sciences, Dentistry, Law, Fine Arts, Management Studies as well as Teaching & Education.

Q:   How many times the IIMC Entrance Exam is conducted in a year?
A:

The IIMC Entrance Exam is conducted only once in a year. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) conducts the IIMC Entrance Exam to shortlist candidates for admission in PG Diploma courses in Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu Journalism. Whereas, candidates willing to pursue PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism (Bilingual- English & Hindi), PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism, PG Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations (Bilingual- English & Hindi), PG Diploma in English Journalism and PG Diploma in Digital Media are required to appear in CUET PG, which is also conducted once in a year.

Name of the Company

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Dainik Jagran

INR 8-10 Lacs

India Today Group

INR 14-15 Lacs

Times of India

INR 12-13 Lacs

ABP News Network

INR 11-13 Lacs

Dainik Bhaskar Group

INR 9-10 Lacs

Zee Media

INR 12-13 Lacs

HT Media

INR 14-15 Lacs

Salary of a Journalist as per City

The same goes for different cities. However, the determining factors here are population, the tier of the city, the demand for journalists, etc. The salaries of experienced journalists in some cities are provided in the table below. 

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Name of the Cities

Average Annual Salary

Delhi

INR 15 Lacs

Bengaluru

INR 15 Lacs

Mumbai

INR 15 Lacs

Chennai

INR 10 Lacs

Kolkata

INR 8 Lacs

Pune

INR 6-7 Lacs

Noida

INR 6-7 Lacs

Salary of the Best Journalists in India

The speculated salaries of some popular journalists in the country are mentioned below.

Top Journalists

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Ravish Kumar

4 Crore

Nidhi Razdan

3 Crore

Arnab Goswami

12 Crore

Barkha Dutt

2.64 Crore

Pranoy Roy

7.8 Crore

Rajdeep Sardesai

5 Crore

Disclaimer - The numbers mentioned in the above table are estimates gathered by salary aggregators. The actual numbers can vary. This is just to give an idea to candidates about the salary of journalists.

Q:   What is the duration of the IIMC entrance exam?
A:

IIMC entrance exam pattern is such that there will be two separate Entrance Exams in two separate sittings on the same day. One entrance examination will be for 4 courses i.e., PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism, PG Diploma in English Journalism, PG Diploma in Public Relations & Advertising and PG Diploma in Radio & Television. While the another exam will be for Regional Language Journalism courses (Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu). Each Test will be of Two Hours (120 minutes) time duration and comprise of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) based on General Knowledge & General Aptitude including a few general questions from the field of Media & Communication carrying 100 marks.

Q:   What is the total marks of the IIMC entrance exam?
A:

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) entrance exam question paper will be of 100 marks. As per the IIMC entrance exam pattern there will be two separate entrance exams in two separate shifts on same day. One examination will be for 4 courses i.e., PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism, PG Diploma in English Journalism, PG Diploma in Public Relations & Advertising and PG Diploma in Radio & Television. Another examination will be for the Regional Language Journalism courses (Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu). As per the exam pattern each Test will be of two hours time duration and comprise of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) which will be based on General Knowledge & General Aptitude. There will be a few general questions based on Media & Communication.

Q:   Who conducts the IIMC entrance exam?
A:

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Commom University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate and post graduate level. Candidates who qualify in the CUET PG exam will be shortlisted for the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Delhi for counselling. After the counselling is over, they will be alloted the courses.

Q:   What is the duration of JMI Entrance Exam 2025?
A:

The duration of Jamia Milia Islami Entrance Exam varies for different courses. For undergraduate programs, the duration is 1 hour 45 minutes, while for postgraduate programs, it is 3 hours. The entrance exam for admission in courses offered at AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) consists of two sections – A and B.

Part A is the written test which has objective type questions, while part B is a written test which is descriptive in nature. They both are of 3 hours duration. There is an interview round which is of 45 minutes as well.

Q:   What is the seat matrix for BEd Nursery Education through JMI Entrance Exam?
A:

The category-wise and language medium-wise seat break up for BEd Nursery Education is mentioned below.

Language Group

General

Muslim

Muslim Women

Muslim OBC/ST

PWD

Total

English/Hindi

06

05

01

-

13

Urdu

07

06

01

-

15

Group Total

13

11

02

28 + 2 = 30

How to Become a Journalist in India?

To become a journalist in India after 12th, students first need to pass high school with good marks and complete graduation. The ideal subjects to study to build a good mass communication base are Political Science, History, Arts, etc. Apart from these, students who want to enter into technical aspects of journalism, like video production, video editing, and photography, can pursue short-term diploma and certificate courses designed specifically for these skills. A prior knowledge of basic science also comes in handy for technical jobs. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in journalism, like BJMC and MJMC, are offered by numerous universities and colleges across the country. Some popular entrance exams through which you can enrol on a journalism course are listed below. 

Scope of Journalism in India

There is a great scope of Journalism in India. The possibilities are endless for skilled journalists, as there are a vast number of opportunities for them in India. Journalists can either join print media, digital or TV media. They can work as reporters, anchors, video editors, photographers, writers, columnists, cartoonists, feature writers, editors, investigative journalists, or freelancers in any of these professions. Again, the starting salaries may not be that impressive, but with experience, making connections along the way and some popularity, journalists can earn a handsome amount.

Benefits and Perks for Journalists Beyond Salary

There can be several benefits that journalists can get from the organisations they work for. Since journalism is a mix of desk work and fieldwork, companies often arrange or pay for work-related travel, stays and even meals. The terms and conditions for these allowances may differ from company to company. Other than that, journalism also opens numerous doors for professionals. There is press and media access for notable events, etc. Networking is another perk of working in this field. This networking is not only limited to media professionals but also the government, public administration, advertisers, law enforcement, celebrities and even citizens. Journalism also provides room for immense personal growth as it enhances research skills, communication skills, people skills and the technical aspect of journalistic productions (digital content, publications, television and radio shows, podcasts, etc.).

Read more:

FAQs on Salary of Journalists

Q: What is the monthly income of a Journalist?

A: The monthly salary of a journalist depends on various factors such as the experience of the candidate, the organization where they are working, their skills, etc. The maximum average salary package for a journalist is INR 6-7 lakhs per annum for the initial couple of years. However, it's important to note that this figure is an average and may vary based on factors such as location, experience, and specific job roles.

Q: Is Journalism a high-paying job?

A: A career in Journalism can be a high-paying job, depending on the specific role and the publication or the media house one works for.

According to several salary aggregators, the salary/placement data, the maximum average salary package for a Journalism course passed out for the initial 2-3 years is INR 5-6 Lakhs per annum. 

However, it's important to note that these figures are based on a limited sample size and may not be representative of the entire Journalism industry. Additionally, salaries can also depend upon other factors such as the job location, experience of the candidate, and the specific publication or media organization they are working for.

In general, more experienced journalists and those working for major publications or organizations may earn higher salaries, while those just starting out or working for smaller publications may earn lower salaries.

Overall, while Journalism may not be high-paying at the start, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for those who are passionate about storytelling and communicating important information to the public. Many experienced and famous journalists in India earn in the figures of crores.

Q: Is journalism a good career?

A: Journalism can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling career for those who are passionate about storytelling, curious about the world, and committed to seeking the truth. Here are some reasons why:

Variety of roles: Journalism offers a wide range of roles, from reporting and writing to editing, photography, and broadcasting. This means that individuals with different skill sets and interests can find a niche that suits them.

Opportunities for advancement: With experience and a strong portfolio, journalists can move up the ranks to senior positions.

Flexibility: Journalism offers flexible work arrangements, including freelance opportunities, part-time or remote work, and the ability to work in a variety of settings, from newsrooms to online publications.

Opportunities for specialization: Journalists can specialize in specific areas like investigative reporting, sports journalism, entertainment reporting, or political coverage, allowing them to develop deep expertise and build a reputation in their field.

Potential for impact: Journalism has the power to shape public opinion, influence policy, and bring about change. Journalists can use their platform to highlight important issues, hold those in power accountable, and give voice to marginalized communities.

However, like any career, journalism has its challenges, such as tight deadlines, limited resources, and the potential for high stress and burnout.

Q: What is the qualification of a journalist?

A: To become a journalist, the general qualification required is a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field, such as communication or English.

In addition to a degree, employers require journalists to have strong writing and communication skills, as well as the ability to work well under deadlines and handle multiple tasks. Some employers may also require a portfolio of writing samples or a demo reel of video work.

It's important to note that the specific qualifications for journalists can vary depending on the employer and the type of journalism being done. For example, a reporter for a local newspaper may have different qualifications than a broadcast journalist for a national television network.

Q: Is journalism a good career in India?

A: Journalism can be a rewarding and challenging career in India, with a growing demand for skilled journalists in various media outlets. However, the industry is facing challenges due to the shift in consumer behavior and the rise of digital media.

There are opportunities for journalists in India, particularly in areas such as digital media, investigative journalism, and specialized beats like sports, entertainment, and technology. The demand for high-quality content in these areas is increasing, and skilled journalists can find opportunities in both traditional and new-age media outlets. Journalism in India can be a good career option for those who are passionate about storytelling, have a strong desire to learn and adapt, and are willing to work in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Q: How can I become a journalist after 12th?

A: First of all it is important to understand that you have the journalist instinct in yourself. If the answer is Yes, then you have crossed the first step. Now coming to the next step, once you have qualified in the 10+2 exam you must complete your graduation and apply for any of the popular mass communication exams in India such as the FTII JET exam, JMI Entrance exam, IIMC Entrance exam or the XIC OET exam and crack it. During this phase, it is also mandatory to develop skills such as - 

  • Develop strong writing and communication skills
  • Build a strong foundation in history and politics
  • Get an internship or work experience
  • Network and make connections

Q: What is the lowest salary for a journalist?

A: There is nothing like a low salary or a high salary for a journalist. However, if you are talking about specific numbers then it can be said that journalism interns earn much less as compared to experienced ones. Interns get a stipend that is below INR 10,000 in many places. However, with minimum wage awareness, and job assurance policies for interns this amount will surely increase in the future and provide better opportunities for the candidates.

Q: Is journalism a tough job?

A: Journalism can be a challenging profession as it requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and a passion for storytelling, breaking news, and being aware 24x7. Journalism involves collecting and presenting news and information accurately and objectively, which can be difficult at times. However, it can also be a rewarding career for those who enjoy staying up-to-date with current events, meeting new people, and having the ability to shape public opinion.

It's important to note that the field of journalism is constantly evolving, and with the rise of digital media, the job requirements and skills needed may vary. However, a degree in journalism or mass communication can provide a strong foundation in writing, communication skills, and exposure to cutting-edge technology.

Q: Is journalism helpful for UPSC?

A: UPSC and Journalism are two distant streams however, there are few links that bond them together and Journalism can be helpful for the UPSC preparation in several ways like - 

Current affairs: Journalism helps you stay updated on current events and news, which is essential for UPSC preparation. Reading newspapers and news articles can provide you with the necessary information to answer questions on current affairs.

Vocabulary: Journalism exposes you to a wide range of words and phrases, which can help improve your vocabulary. Enhancing your vocabulary can be beneficial for the English language section of the UPSC exam.

Critical thinking: Journalism teaches you to think critically and analyze information. These skills can be useful when tackling essay and opinion-based questions in the UPSC exam.

Research skills: Journalism involves conducting research and fact-checking, which can help you develop your research skills. These skills can be useful when preparing for the UPSC exam, especially for the general knowledge section.

Writing skills: Journalism helps you develop your writing skills, which can be useful when answering the descriptive-type questions in the UPSC exam.

Q: Is journalism a safe profession?

A: Journalism, like any profession, has its own set of risks and challenges. However, whether or not journalism is a safe profession depends on how one defines "safe."

If we consider safety in terms of physical well-being, then journalism can be a risky profession as Journalists may have to work in conflict zones, cover protests and demonstrations, and report from dangerous locations. They may also be at risk of physical harm, including injury or even death, while on assignment.

However, if we define safety in terms of job security and financial stability, then journalism can be a relatively safe profession. There are many opportunities for journalists in a variety of fields, including digital media, podcasting, and freelance writing.

Q: Is it stressful to be a Journalist?

A: Being a journalist can be a challenging and demanding profession, as it requires a high level of dedication, hard work, and attention to detail. However, whether or not it is stressful depends on various factors, such as the specific area of journalism you are working in, the type of stories you are covering, and your own personal preferences and coping mechanisms.

Some common stressors for journalists include tight deadlines, high expectations from audiences and editors, and the potential for backlash or criticism of their work. Additionally, journalists may be exposed to traumatic or disturbing events, such as natural disasters, political unrest, or violent crimes, which can take an emotional toll.

Despite these challenges, many journalists find their work to be rewarding and fulfilling, as they have the opportunity to share important stories, hold those in power accountable, and give voice to marginalized communities.

Q: Is journalism a skilled job?

A: Journalism is a skilled profession that requires a combination of writing, research, critical thinking, and communication skills. Journalists need to be able to collect, analyze, and present information in a clear and concise manner, often under tight deadlines and with limited resources.

To be a successful journalist, one must have a strong foundation in writing and communication skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. Additionally, journalists must be able to conduct thorough research, fact-check information, and maintain objectivity and integrity in their reporting. If you are considering a career in journalism, it's important to carefully consider your own strengths, weaknesses, and goals, as well as the current state of the industry and the potential challenges you may face. It may also be helpful to speak with experienced journalists and professionals in the field to gain a better understanding of what the work entails and what you can expect.

About the Author
author-image
Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive

Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.