News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Illinois news analysts, reporters, and journalists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $42,790 and $86,060, with a median of $60,590.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $65,879. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $36,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $65,879 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $100,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls Sports Limited Partnership | Senior Manager, Digital Partnerships | 2 | $100,000 |
| Chicago Public Media, Inc. | Reporter, Public Safety | 2 | $65,879 |
| INFLUENCEN INC. | DIGITAL MEDIA JOURNALIST | 2 | $35,066 |
| Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC | National Biotech Reporter | 1 | $96,445 |
| Northwestern University | Reporter | 1 | $65,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Reporter, Public Safety at Chicago Public Media, Inc.$65,879ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Jul 30, 2025I-200-25204-194723
- National Biotech Reporter at Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC$96,445ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Jul 1, 2025I-200-25175-124718
- Senior Manager, Digital Partnerships at Chicago Bulls Sports Limited Partnership$100,000ChicagoWage Level IIIDecided Jun 3, 2025I-202-25147-021558
- DIGITAL MEDIA JOURNALIST at INFLUENCEN INC.$36,000CHICAGOWage Level IDecided May 9, 2025I-200-25122-934206
- DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST at INFLUENCEN INC.$34,133CHICAGOWage Level IDecided May 9, 2025I-200-25122-934164
- Senior Manager, Digital Partnerships at Chicago Bulls Sports Limited Partnership$100,000ChicagoWage Level IIIDecided Feb 4, 2025I-202-25028-648579
- Reporter at Northwestern University$65,000EvanstonWage Level IDecided Dec 2, 2024I-200-24329-496489
- Reporter, Public Safety at Chicago Public Media, Inc.$65,879ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-059173
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $65,879.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Chicago Public Media, Inc. | 3 | $65,879 |
| Media and entertainment | Chicago Bulls Sports Limited Partnership | 2 | $100,000 |
| Professional services | INFLUENCEN INC. | 2 | $35,066 |
| Education | Northwestern University | 1 | $65,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Communications and Media
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Speech Clarity
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- 02
Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- 03
Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- 04
Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- 05
Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- 06
Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- 07
Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- 08
Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-3.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Illinois
Metro-level salary data for news analysts, reporters, and journalists in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$70,350
Compare News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Illinois with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois is $60,590.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists?
- The Illinois median is +9.2% versus the BLS national figure of $55,505.
- What is the salary range for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,680 and the 90th-percentile at $140,620, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -3.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.