Journalism Teachers

The median annual salary for high school teachers, including journalism teachers, was $65,220 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,040, and the top 10 percent earned $106,380 or more. Fifty percent of high school teachers earned between $54,290 and $83,340.

High school journalism teachers can often earn additional pay by working with students in extracurricular activities, such as acting as an adviser to the school newspaper or yearbook; coaching sports; or teaching summer school. Other activities that can increase a teacher's salary include acting as a mentor to inexperienced teachers, or earning a master's degree or national certification.

College professors' earnings vary depending on their academic department, the size of the school, the type of school (public, private, women's only), and by the level of position the professor holds. According to the DOL, the median annual salary for college and university communications teachers, including journalism teachers, was $79,910 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,060, and the highest 10 percent earned $160,060 or more. Fifty percent of college and university communications teachers earned between $61,410 and $104,810.

College journalism professors often receive additional earnings from activities such as research, writing for publication in scholarly journals, working in the field as a journalist, or other employment. In addition, many college and university full-time faculty members may have access to campus facilities, tuition waivers for dependents, housing and travel allowances, and paid sabbatical leaves. Part-time faculty members usually have fewer benefits.