Journalists’ Salary in South Africa
The thrilling field of journalism attracts many individuals in South Africa, which is not a bad career. However, before you pick a field for yourself, it is wise to know about the salary range it can offer you, as it gives the person a reality check.
On average, journalists’ salary in South Africa is R8422 per month. There are a lot of factors that play a role in the salary, and it can increase with the presence of those said factors.
So, if you wish to find out more details about the earnings of journalists in South Africa, you will have to read the article below. Not only will you find out about their salary range, but you will also find out what has a direct effect on the income of a journalist. This will help you out in the long run, so without any more delay, let’s get down to it.
Current Salary of Journalists in South Africa
The current salary of a journalist in South Africa is R8422 per month. This means that their annual earnings are approximately R101,064 per year. This amount is lower than the average national salary in South Africa.
If we make a quick comparison between the salary of a journalist in South Africa and the salary of a journalist in the USA, there is a huge difference between the two numbers. In the USA, a journalist makes $48823 per year, which makes R927993. Therefore, their monthly salary is approximately $4070, which makes R77,360 per month in South African currency.
However, the salary of a journalist in South Africa shared above is not a fixed amount, just an average amount. This number can increase as senior-level journalists in the country earn up to R350,000 per year, which makes their monthly salary R29,166 on average.
Professional Responsibilities of a Journalist
The job of being a journalist comes with its own set of responsibilities, which apply to every person who steps into this field. The first major responsibility of a journalist is that they are obliged to speak the truth always. No matter what the situation is, they need to report the truth to the public.
In addition to that, another major responsibility of a journalist in South Africa is that they need to investigate issues properly before reporting them. Journalists can not speak based solely on hearsay; they need to verify the facts and cross-check the information before reporting it.
Moreover, they are also responsible for providing a voice to those who are being robbed of their voices. Interviewing all the available sources and being the voice of those who can not speak for themselves also fall under the job description of a journalist.
This takes us to another important professional responsibility of a journalist, which is delivering unbiased reports. They need to set their own feelings and benefits aside and always deliver the hard facts to the public. It is also the responsibility of a journalist to provide facts without any distortion.
Researching articles and collecting information from multiple resources also fall under their job description. Journalists do not report based on a single source of information, but they need to use all of their resources to ensure that every possible source of information has been taken advantage of. Last, but not least, it is the duty of a journalist to allow the public to exchange and view their opinions.
What Does the Salary of a Journalist Depend Upon?
The salary of a journalist in South Africa is not a fixed amount, which is the same for every individual working in this field. The amount keeps changing for everyone due to the presence or absence of a few factors.
The first factor that affects the salary of a journalist is the type of journalism they do. There are different sub-categories in journalism, each with its own salary range. Those who are in the highest-paying category, such as political reporters and investigative journalists, will earn a higher salary than those who are in other fields.
In addition to that, the level of experience a person has in the field also affects their salary range. Those who have a higher number of years backing them up will get paid more due to their experience as compared to entry-level journalists. The education level of the person also plays a role in their salary range.
The last factor is the location of the job. Those who are doing journalism in the bigger cities and are working for bigger names in Television or Newspapers will get paid better salary packages as compared to those individuals who are working in rural areas for smaller newspapers. Those who are working in smaller cities will get paid in peanuts as compared to those who are in bigger cities, such as Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Does journalism pay well in South Africa?
No, journalism is not a career that pays well in South Africa, especially for those who are just entering the field. The earnings of an entry-level journalist in the country are below the average salary in South Africa. However, with time and experience, the amount can increase.
What is the highest salary that a journalist can earn in South Africa?
The highest salary a journalist can earn while working in South Africa depends upon the field they have picked. Senior-level journalists earn up to R29,166 per month, which makes their annual salary around R350,000.
What are the different types of journalism jobs in South Africa?
The different types of jobs in South Africa that come under the umbrella of journalism include news reporter, feature writer, photo-journalist, and broadcast journalist. Apart from this, editing jobs such as copy editor and sub-editor also come under the category of journalism.
Which type of journalism job pays the highest in South Africa?
Political reporters and investigative reporters are the two major types of journalism that pay the highest in South Africa. Apart from these two, business journalists and travel journalists also earn a good amount.
Which journalism skills are in demand in South Africa?
There are a few journalism skills that are always in demand in South Africa. These skills include keen attention to detail, communication, remarkable research skills, investigative skills as well as problem-solving skills.
Where can I work as a journalist in South Africa?
There are many job options for journalists in South Africa. An individual can pick a newspaper such as Daily Dispatch, The Mercury, The Mail & Guardian, and The Sowetan. In addition to that, you can also pick a magazine, a TV channel, or a radio station or opt for freelance journalism.
What are the challenges of being a journalist in South Africa?
The biggest challenge of being a journalist in South Africa is that the job comes with a very low salary range. In addition to that, the job requires people to work for long hours, and the working conditions are not always safe, which is another critical challenge.
Is there a difference in salary between male and female journalists in South Africa?
Yes, unfortunately, similar to other fields, the job of journalism also has a gender pay gap disparity. Female journalists are paid approximately 17% less than male journalists in South Africa.
How do I negotiate a higher salary as a journalist in South Africa?
In order to negotiate a higher salary as a journalist working in South Africa, you need to have a strong portfolio. In addition to that, you need to find out the salary of the rest of the employees in the company, as that will also help in negotiating a better salary for yourself.
What are the benefits of being a journalist in South Africa?
The major benefit of being a journalist in South Africa is being able to work on exciting projects. In addition to that, this job allows individuals to make a difference in the lives of many people.
Journalism is a field that is not for the faint-hearted individuals, especially in South Africa. So, in my opinion, it is best to know about every factor of the job before considering it for yourself, and that includes the journalist’s salary in South Africa.
You are in luck, as every aspect of the income of journalists has been discussed in detail in the article above. I hope the information that I have shared with you above helps you in making the right decision for your future.
