Journalist Salary UK 2025 | Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay as an employed or freelance journalist. Covers junior reporter to editor level, NUJ minimum rates, BBC vs print vs regional media pay, and freelance day rates. Updated for 2025/26 tax year.
Journalist Take-Home Pay Calculator 2025
UK Journalist Salary by Level 2025
| Role / Level | Typical Salary (National) | BBC / ITV / National | Regional Press |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee / NCTJ Student | £18,000-£22,000 | £23,000-£26,000 | £18,000-£21,000 |
| Junior Reporter | £20,000-£26,000 | £24,000-£30,000 | £19,000-£24,000 |
| Reporter (1-5 yrs) | £24,000-£35,000 | £30,000-£42,000 | £22,000-£30,000 |
| Senior Reporter | £35,000-£50,000 | £40,000-£60,000 | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Correspondent | £45,000-£70,000 | £50,000-£90,000 | £35,000-£50,000 |
| Deputy Editor | £50,000-£80,000 | £60,000-£100,000 | £38,000-£55,000 |
| Editor (national) | £80,000-£200,000+ | £80,000-£200,000+ | £45,000-£75,000 |
| Freelance (£200/day) | ~£32,000 gross | Varies by commission | NUJ rates apply |
NUJ Freelance Rate Guide 2025
| Type of Work | NUJ Recommended Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Feature (national, per 1,000 words) | £350-£500+ | Higher for exclusives |
| Feature (regional, per 1,000 words) | £180-£280 | Print and online |
| News shift (day) | £200-£300 | Experienced journalists |
| Sub-editing shift (day) | £180-£250 | Digital and print |
| Broadcast package | £300-£600 | TV/radio contribution |
| Photography (editorial) | £200-£400/day | Plus usage fees |
Journalist Salaries in the UK in 2025
The UK journalism industry is in a period of significant structural transformation. Traditional print media continues to face declining advertising revenue, leading to consolidation, redundancies, and wage pressure at regional and national titles. At the same time, digital-native publishers, podcasting networks, newsletters, and streaming platforms are creating new editorial roles, often with competitive salaries for digital skills. In 2025, the journalism jobs market is simultaneously challenging and dynamic, with opportunities for those who can adapt to new formats and audience expectations.
The BBC remains the largest single employer of journalists in the UK, with approximately 6,000 journalists across its radio, television, and online divisions. The corporation's salaries are generally above industry average for equivalent experience levels, though the BBC's pay structure has come under scrutiny following the on-air talent pay gap revelations. ITV, Channel 4, Sky News, and the major national newspaper groups are the other large employers of journalists.
Regional vs National Journalism Pay
The pay gap between regional and national journalism is substantial and has widened over the past decade as regional publishers have cut costs. A senior reporter on a national broadsheet or major broadcaster might earn £45,000 to £65,000, while the equivalent role at a regional newspaper — covering local courts, councils, and community news — might pay £28,000 to £38,000. This gap reflects both the different revenue models of the organisations (national titles command higher advertising rates and subscription revenues) and the market reality that there is more competition for national roles than regional ones.
Despite lower pay, regional journalism provides exceptional training. Junior journalists at regional papers cover the full range of news beats — courts, councils, crime, features — that their national counterparts may not encounter for years. The skills, speed, and breadth of experience gained in regional newsrooms are widely recognised as the best preparation for a national career. Many of the UK's most prominent journalists started in regional newsrooms in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, or Glasgow before moving to London.
Freelance Journalism: Income and Tax Realities
Freelance journalism is attractive for its flexibility and variety, but the income realities are often harsh, particularly in the early career stages. An established freelancer with regular column commitments, book deals, and television appearances might earn £50,000 to £100,000 or more. However, a newly freelance journalist without established relationships might struggle to earn £15,000 to £20,000 in their first year. The feast-and-famine income cycle is well documented in the industry.
From a tax perspective, freelance journalists are treated as self-employed sole traders (or can operate through a limited company). They must register for self-assessment and file an annual tax return. They can deduct legitimate business expenses including: a proportion of home office costs, professional subscriptions (NUJ membership, NCTJ fees), equipment and software, travel to interviews and assignments, professional development, and press card fees. Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance are payable on profits above the relevant thresholds.
Journalism Qualifications and Their Value
The NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) Diploma in Journalism is the industry-standard qualification, highly valued particularly in print and online journalism. The NCTJ Diploma typically covers: multimedia reporting, shorthand (100 words per minute for a distinction grade), media law, public affairs, and specialist reporting. Graduates with NCTJ qualifications are preferred by most regional publishers and many national titles.
Journalism degree programmes accredited by the NCTJ incorporate the Diploma into the degree curriculum. Postgraduate journalism programmes at City University London, Cardiff University, and the University of Sheffield are among the most highly regarded in the UK. BBC and ITV also recruit through structured journalism training schemes, some of which require no prior journalism qualification but are intensely competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary UK 2025
What is the average journalist salary in the UK in 2025?
Journalist salaries vary widely: Trainee reporters earn £18,000-£22,000; Reporters (1-5 yrs) £24,000-£35,000; Senior reporters/correspondents £35,000-£60,000; Deputy editors £50,000-£80,000; Editors £65,000-£200,000+. BBC and ITV pay 15-25% above industry average. Regional press pays 20-35% below national title equivalents.
What are the NUJ minimum rates for journalists?
NUJ minimum rates for employed journalists (NMA agreements): trainee minimum ~£18,000-£20,000; qualified reporter Year 3 minimum ~£25,000-£28,000. Freelance NUJ recommended rates: features from £350-£500/1,000 words (nationals); news shifts £200-£300/day; sub-editing £180-£250/day. Not all publishers follow NUJ rates, particularly digital-first outlets.
Do BBC journalists earn more than other journalists?
Generally yes. BBC journalists earn 15-25% above industry average for equivalent experience. BBC Editorial trainees earn ~£23,000-£26,000; BBC Reporters (Band D) ~£32,000-£40,000; BBC Correspondents (Band E) ~£45,000-£65,000. Senior correspondents earn £70,000-£100,000+. ITV pays comparably at senior levels. Sky News is competitive at correspondent level and above.
What is the take-home pay for a journalist earning £35,000?
A journalist earning £35,000 in 2025/26 pays income tax of approximately £4,486 and NI of approximately £1,794. Annual take-home (before pension) is approximately £28,720 (£2,393/month). With a 5% pension contribution, take-home falls to approximately £26,820 (£2,235/month). Student loan Plan 2 repayments would apply if income exceeds £27,295, deducting approximately £692/year from this example.
How does freelance journalist income compare to employed?
An established freelance journalist earning £250/day for 160 days generates £40,000 gross. After expenses of ~£3,200, taxable profit is ~£36,800. After tax and Class 4 NI, annual take-home is approximately £28,500-£29,000 — comparable to an employed journalist on £35,000-£38,000. Freelancers miss employer pension contributions, sick pay, and holiday pay, worth approximately £4,000-£7,000/year in total.
Does regional vs national media significantly affect journalist pay?
Yes. Regional journalists earn 20-40% less than equivalents on national titles. A senior reporter on a national broadsheet earns £45,000-£60,000; the same level at a regional title pays £28,000-£38,000. Despite lower pay, regional journalism provides excellent training — many of the UK's most prominent journalists built their skills in regional newsrooms before moving to national outlets.
What qualifications do UK journalists need?
The industry standard is the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, covering multimedia reporting, media law, public affairs, and shorthand (100 wpm for distinction). NCTJ-accredited journalism degrees incorporate the diploma. Top postgraduate programmes include City University London, Cardiff, and Sheffield. The BBC recruits through structured journalism training schemes. Shorthand is still valued for reporting courts and official proceedings, though its importance has declined for digital-only roles.
What expenses can freelance journalists claim?
Freelance journalists can deduct: home office costs (proportional), equipment (laptops, cameras, recorders), professional subscriptions (NUJ membership, press card fees, NCTJ), travel to interviews and assignments, software (transcription tools, editing software), professional indemnity insurance, and professional development courses. Meals are generally not deductible unless for business-specific entertainment. Keep all receipts and use HMRC's self-assessment system to claim allowable expenses each tax year.