What does a Journalist do?
Journalists research, write and produce news, features and investigations for audiences. Day‑to‑day work mixes source‑building, interviewing, fact‑checking, writing under deadlines; broadcast presenting (TV/ radio), digital production (podcasts, social video), and increasingly data journalism.
* Research, write and produce news, features and investigations
* Specialise in news reporting, broadcast, political, business/finance, sport, or investigative journalism
* Work across print, online, broadcast and emerging digital/podcast formats
* Build for BBC, Reuters, The Times, The Guardian, FT, Sky News and Bloomberg
Salary ranges
UK Journalist pay starts modest and scales sharply with seniority. Junior reporters at regional/local UK newsrooms start at £22,000–£28,000. National newspaper and broadcaster journalists at the BBC, Reuters, Bloomberg and the FT start at £30,000–£40,000. Senior correspondents and editors at national titles earn £60,000–£100,000+. The very top of UK journalism (newspaper editors, broadcast presenters) earns £200,000–£500,000+.
Years 5–10: Senior Correspondent/Section Editor.
London dominates UK journalism — over 80% of national newspaper and broadcaster journalism jobs are London‑based. Regional and local newsrooms pay 20–30% below London but with significantly lower living costs. Trade press and financial journalism pay 20–30% above general national newsroom rates.
Typical entry routes
1. Any degree + postgraduate NCTJ — 1 year.
2. BBC / national newspaper trainee scheme.
3. Local newspaper trainee + NCTJ.
Skills youll need
* Sharp curiosity and persistence.
* Sceptical mindset and fact‑checking discipline.
* Empathic interviewing.
* Clear, accessible writing.
* Ethical decision‑making (UK editors code, broadcasters codes).
* Resilience under deadline pressure and public criticism.
Employers and industries
* BBC, Reuters, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Sky News, ITV News, The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, i, Independent, Mirror, Express, regional papers.
* Trade press and specialist publications – The Lancet, New Scientist, Architectural Review, Construction News, Drapers, MoneyWeek.
Career progression
Years 0–2: Trainee / Junior Reporter – complete the NCTJ Diploma alongside trainee newsroom work.
Years 2–5: Reporter / Producer – cover a beat or specialise into broadcast production.
Years 5–10: Senior Correspondent / Section Editor – lead investigations and senior reporting.
Years 10+: Editor / Bureau Chief / Anchor – top‑tier leadership roles.
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