CreativeUpdated Q1 2026

Journalist Salary
in Lewiston, ME

Research, write, and report news stories for print, digital, broadcast, and social media. Median salary in Lewiston: $51K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$51K
per year
Take-home: $32K

Salary range in Lewiston

Entry level (25th)$37,000
Median (50th)$51,000
Senior (75th)$71,000
Top earner (90th)$100,000
Data freshness

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

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What the numbers say for Lewiston

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

2% discount vs national median

Journalists in Lewiston earn approximately 2% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $1,000 discount on annual base salary. Lewiston's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 98 (US avg = 100).

7.15% state tax = $3,647/yr

Maine's 7.15% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $3,647 per year at the median salary. A Journalist relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Rent eats 41% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Lewiston ($1,100/mo) consumes approximately 41% 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 ($71K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Lewiston

Median salary
$51K
annual
Take-home pay
$32K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
7.15%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Lewiston Journalist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $51K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Lewiston

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

HistoricalProjected
Journalist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$43K$47K$51K$54K$58K201920212023202520272029
2026
$52K
projected
2027
$54K
projected
2028
$55K
projected
2029
$56K
projected
2030
$58K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$51,000+$0
2028 projected$51,000+$0
2029 projected$51,000+$0
2030 projected$51,000+$0

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

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Journalist Salary in Lewiston, Maine: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Journalist salary in Lewiston, ME is $51,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Lewiston–ME 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 Lewiston

Entry-level Journalists in Lewiston with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $37,000 and $51,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $51,000 to $71,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $71,000 to $100,000 or more.

Cost of living in Lewiston for Journalists

Lewiston has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Lewiston than the national average. Maine has a 7.15% 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 Lewiston-based professionals.

Journalist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Lewiston (current)$51K98
Portland$60K115