CreativeUpdated Q1 2026

Journalist Salary
in Duluth, MN

Research, write, and report news stories for print, digital, broadcast, and social media. Median salary in Duluth: $48K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$48K
per year
Take-home: $31K

Salary range in Duluth

Entry level (25th)$35,000
Median (50th)$48,000
Senior (75th)$66,000
Top earner (90th)$94,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Duluth, Minnesota. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Duluth

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

8% discount vs national median

Journalists in Duluth earn approximately 8% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $4,000 discount on annual base salary. Duluth's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 92 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 43% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Duluth ($1,100/mo) consumes approximately 43% of an after-tax median Journalist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($66K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Slower wage growth (1.5%/yr)

Journalist wages are growing at 1.5% year-over-year β€” slower than the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. Real wages may lag inflation in years where CPI exceeds this rate, so total compensation negotiation (bonus, equity, benefits) matters more than base salary growth for this role.

Key facts for Duluth

Median salary
$48K
annual
Take-home pay
$31K
after fed/state tax
COL index
92
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.8%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Duluth Journalist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $48K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Duluth

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Journalist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$40K$44K$47K$51K$54K201920212023202520272029
2026
$49K
projected
2027
$50K
projected
2028
$52K
projected
2029
$53K
projected
2030
$54K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$48,000+$0
2028 projected$48,000+$0
2029 projected$48,000+$0
2030 projected$48,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Journalist Salary in Duluth, Minnesota: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Journalist salary in Duluth, MN is $48,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Duluth–MN metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Journalist in Duluth

Entry-level Journalists in Duluth with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $35,000 and $48,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $48,000 to $66,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $66,000 to $94,000 or more.

Cost of living in Duluth for Journalists

Duluth has a cost of living index of 92 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 8% further in Duluth than the national average. Minnesota has a 6.8% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Journalist

Bachelor's in Journalism or Communications. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Duluth-based professionals.

Journalist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Duluth (current)$48K92
Minneapolis$55K106
St. Paul$53K104
Rochester$52K100