How to become a journalist
Journalist is a recognised UK career with multiple routes in for both school-leavers and career-changers. Entry-level pay sits around £24,000 - £28,000, mid-career roles earn £30,000 - £45,000, senior or specialist journalists earn £50,000 - £80,000. This guide covers the realistic route in, what you can earn employed and self-employed, and whether the work fits how you like to spend your day.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £28,000
- Mid-career salary
- £30,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £80,000
- Work environment
- Newsroom, remote, or out reporting
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Often expected (NCTJ helpful)
- Category
- Marketing and Media
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Journalist does
Research, interview, and write stories for newspapers, websites, or broadcasters.
- News Reporter - Cover daily news for a publication or broadcaster.
- Feature Writer - Write longer, in-depth pieces.
- Sports Journalist - Report on sport across print, online, or broadcast.
How to become a journalist in the UK
The route into journalist work in the UK is more flexible than people assume. Most people combine a relevant qualification (college course, apprenticeship, or short professional certification) with hands-on experience - typically an entry-level role or work placement. Time to first paid role is typically 1 - 3 years.
- Start writing and publishing now, for student media, local news sites, community magazines or your own site, and keep copies of every published piece.
- Take an NCTJ-accredited course, such as a degree, postgraduate course or fast-track diploma, covering media law, reporting and shorthand.
- Learn shorthand, aiming for 100 words per minute, as many newsrooms still value it for court, council and interview reporting.
- Learn the Editors' Code of Practice enforced by IPSO, plus the basics of defamation and contempt of court, before you report on real people.
- Look for a Level 3 junior journalist apprenticeship with a news publisher if you would rather earn while you train.
- Pitch stories to editors with a clear angle, named sources and why it matters now, starting with local and trade titles.
- Choose a beat, such as local news, sport, business or a specialist industry, and build a contact book in that area.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCTJ-accredited degree | 3 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers |
| NCTJ fast-track or postgraduate course | About 4 months to 1 year | Varies by provider | Graduates in other subjects |
| Level 3 junior journalist apprenticeship | Usually 12-18 months | Paid by the employer | Earning while you train |
| Freelance pitching and portfolio | Varies | Low | Specialists and career changers |
How long it takes
Expect one to three years, including an NCTJ course or degree and time building a portfolio of published work. A junior journalist apprenticeship can get you into a newsroom faster.
Journalist salary in the UK
Entry-level journalist roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £28,000. Mid-career journalists earn £30,000 - £45,000. Senior or specialist journalists earn £50,000 - £80,000. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed journalists set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Is journalist a good career?
Journalist can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: industry under pressure but specialist niches strong. Competition for roles is generally high. Day-to-day environment: newsroom, remote, or out reporting. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Key skills
- Writing
- Research
- Interviewing
- Speed under deadline
Journalist FAQs
How do I become a journalist in the UK?
The route into journalist work in the UK is more flexible than people assume. Most people combine a relevant qualification (college course, apprenticeship, or short professional certification) with hands-on experience - typically an entry-level role or work placement. Time to first paid role is typically 1 - 3 years.
How much do journalists earn in the UK?
Entry-level journalist roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £28,000. Mid-career journalists earn £30,000 - £45,000. Senior or specialist journalists earn £50,000 - £80,000. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed journalists set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Do you need a degree to be a journalist?
For most journalist roles in the UK: often expected (NCTJ helpful). There are usually no shortcuts around the formal qualification requirement, though apprenticeship and degree-apprenticeship routes (paid throughout) are an alternative to the traditional university path.
Is journalist a good career in the UK?
Journalist can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: industry under pressure but specialist niches strong. Competition for roles is generally high. Day-to-day environment: newsroom, remote, or out reporting. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Is Journalist right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Journalist actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Comparing journalist with other careers? A career quiz gives you a type; a proper assessment gives you reasons, routes and trade-offs.