Political Columnists and Writers

Like reporters' salaries, the incomes of political columnists and writers vary greatly according to experience; newspaper, magazine, radio station, or television station size and location; and whether the columnist or writer is under a union contract.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) classifies columnists with news analysts, reporters, and journalists, and reports that the median annual income for these professionals was $57,500 in May 2023. Ten percent of those in this group earned $31,550 or less, and 10 percent made $160,360 or more annually.

In May 2023, median earnings for salaried writers who were employed by newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers was $73,740, according to the DOL. The lowest 10 percent of all writers earned $40,900 or less, while the highest 10 percent earned $148,240 or more.

Freelancers may be paid by the column or article. Syndicates pay columnists and other writers 40 percent to 60 percent of the sales income generated by their columns or articles, or a flat fee if only one column or article is being sold.

Freelancers must provide their own benefits. Political columnists and writers working on staff at newspapers and magazines receive typical benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation days, sick days, and retirement plans.