Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£42,169
Employment patterns
- 80% of Newspaper work full-time
- 38% are self-employed
- 100.0% of employees have permanent contracts
Understanding Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay in the UK
The typical newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters in the UK earns a median salary of £42,169 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £44,599. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters actually takes home.
Employment patterns shape these numbers too: Around 38% of Newspaper are self-employed, well above most occupations, so the employee pay above will not capture earnings for those working for themselves.
Where you work changes the picture: newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay ranges from £24,376 in East Midlands up to £51,548 in London, a difference of £27,172 (111%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay in London or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
London is the highest-paying region for newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters at £51,548 — 22% above the UK median. East Midlands is lowest at £24,376.
UK median £42,169
| Region | Median payUK median £42,169 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £51,548 | £51,548 | £52,655 | +22% |
| North West | £49,824 | £49,824 | £51,594 | +18% |
| West Midlands | £38,008 | £38,008 | £35,685 | -10% |
| Scotland | £32,006 | £32,006 | £31,555 | -24% |
| East of England | £30,360 | £30,360 | £32,173 | -28% |
| South West | £29,922 | £29,922 | £31,413 | -29% |
| North East | £28,257 | £28,257 | £28,490 | -33% |
| South East | £27,692 | £27,692 | £31,971 | -34% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £27,340 | £27,340 | £28,951 | -35% |
| Wales | £26,642 | £26,642 | £29,487 | -37% |
| East Midlands | £24,376 | £24,376 | £27,573 | -42% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| London £51,548 | £51,548Mean £52,655 | +22% |
| North West £49,824 | £49,824Mean £51,594 | +18% |
| West Midlands £38,008 | £38,008Mean £35,685 | -10% |
| Scotland £32,006 | £32,006Mean £31,555 | -24% |
| East of England £30,360 | £30,360Mean £32,173 | -28% |
| South West £29,922 | £29,922Mean £31,413 | -29% |
| North East £28,257 | £28,257Mean £28,490 | -33% |
| South East £27,692 | £27,692Mean £31,971 | -34% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £27,340 | £27,340Mean £28,951 | -35% |
| Wales £26,642 | £26,642Mean £29,487 | -37% |
| East Midlands £24,376 | £24,376Mean £27,573 | -42% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£42,169); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Related roles in Media Professionals
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →