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Journalism careers are exciting and involve a lot of responsibility. A journalist’s work entails a great deal of fact-checking and news gathering, which should ultimately lead to a qualitative shift in society. If you want to start your career in journalism, you can choose to study mass communication or journalism. The right education and working experience can lead to a good and well-reputed job as a journalist and help you earn a good salary in Canada. If you want to know more about the latest facts on journalist salaries in Canada for 2025, you can read this entire article for more information.
This Blog Includes:
What is the Average Journalist Salary in Canada?
Journalists in Canada can expect a competitive salary. The average annual income sits at 138,700 CAD, translating to a monthly salary of 11,558 CAD. There’s variation within this range, with starting journalists earning around 65,100 CAD annually (5,425 CAD monthly), while experienced professionals can command top salaries exceeding 213,800 CAD per year (17,816 CAD monthly).
Here are the Average Salary in Canada & Top Job Opportunities
Experience-Wise Journalist Salary in Canada
In Canada, journalist salaries increase significantly with experience. For those just starting out (0-2 years), the average annual salary is around CAD 69,600. With 2-5 years of experience, journalists earn approximately CAD 95,600 per year. As they gain more experience, salaries rise, with journalists having 5-10 years of experience earning an average of CAD 139,100 annually.
Those with 10-15 years in the field earn CAD 168,700 per year, while journalists with 15-20 years of experience make CAD 177,100 annually. Highly experienced professionals (20+ years) can earn up to CAD 193,400 per year, reflecting the expertise and seniority gained over time.
One of the additional reasons to raise your pay is that you might have solid work experience if you performed an internship or a full-time position in a journalistic organisation during that time. You may check how much money you can make based on your expertise level here.
| Experience Level | Average Salary Per Year |
| 0-2 Years | CAD 69,600 |
| 2-5 Years | CAD 95,600 |
| 5-10 Years | CAD 139,100 |
| 10-15 Years | CAD 168,700 |
| 15-20 Years | CAD 177,100 |
| 20+ years | CAD 193,400 |
Education Wise Journalist Salary in Canada
In Canada, journalists’ salaries are significantly influenced by their level of education. Those with only a high school diploma earn an average of CAD 94,400 per year. With a certificate or diploma, the average salary increases to CAD 108,200 annually, representing a 14.7% increase.
Journalists holding a bachelor’s degree earn an average of CAD 160,600 per year, reflecting a 48.5% increase from those with a certificate or diploma. The highest earners are those with a master’s degree, making an average of CAD 197,600 annually, a 23% increase from those with a bachelor’s degree. This shows how higher education directly correlates with higher salaries in the journalism field.
The typical degree for journalists is a bachelor’s in journalism or a closely related discipline like English or communications. Some go on to earn a journalism master’s degree, which can also help you get paid more. You can discover how much money you can make based on your level of schooling here.
| Education | Average Salary Per Year |
| High School | CAD 94,400 |
| Certificate or Diploma | CAD 108,200 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | CAD 160,600 |
| Master’s Degree | CAD 197,600 |
Check How to Find Part-Time Jobs in Canada
Organisation-Wise Journalist Salary in Canada
Journalists employed by private organisations such as media companies, news outlets, or independent publishing platforms tend to earn higher salaries due to the competitive nature of the industry. On average, journalists in private media can earn around CAD 55,000 to CAD 85,000 annually, depending on their experience and position. Senior journalists or those in specialise roles, like investigative journalism, can earn upwards of CAD 100,000 per year.
On the other hand, journalists working for government organisations (such as public broadcasters like CBC) typically have more stable positions with benefits, but the salaries are generally lower than those in private media. The average salary for journalists in government organisations ranges from CAD 50,000 to CAD 75,000 annually, depending on the department, level of responsibility, and experience.
Numerous institutions and the media sector can assist you in selecting different career paths within your field. This is a list of some of the best Canadian corporations, along with their salary ranges.
| Organization | Average Salary Per Year |
| CBC/Radio-Canada | CAD 83,786 |
| Postmedia Network | CAD 50,917 |
| Freelancer | CAD 59,566 |
| Black Press Media | CAD 50,240 |
| Corus Entertainment | CAD 62,773 |
| Toronto Star | CAD 77,500 |
| Global News | CAD 49,332 |
| Journal Metro | CAD 44,333 |
| Rogers Communications | CAD 46,000 |
| Bell Media (Canada) | CAD 78,000 |
| Metroland Media Group | CAD 44,000 |
| Glacier Media Group | CAD 48,000 |
| Brunswick News | CAD 50,000 |
| Daily Hive | CAD 55,000 |
| Key Media | CAD 49,000 |
| Xtalks | CAD 53,000 |
| Canada’s National Observer | CAD 48,000 |
| The Discourse | CAD 47,000 |
| McDonald’s | CAD 66,000 |
| Walmart | CAD 65,000 |
| University of Toronto | CAD 79,000 |
City-Wise Journalist Salary in Canada
In Canada, journalist salaries vary significantly across different cities. In 2025, journalists in Edmonton earn the highest average salary at CAD 148,300 per year, closely followed by Calgary with an average salary of CAD 146,900, which is about a 0.9% difference. Ottawa offers an average salary of CAD 141,100, which is approximately 4.9% lower than Calgary and Edmonton.
Canada has a great need for journalists, which is why Canadian cities hire people for a range of well-paying jobs.
Here are the highest-paying Canadian cities are listed here, along with a range of salaries.
| Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
| Calgary | CAD 146,900 |
| Edmonton | CAD 148,300 |
| Hamilton | CAD 137,700 |
| Ottawa | CAD 141,100 |
| Surrey | CAD 137,100 |
| Toronto | CAD 148,300 |
Job Positions Wise Journalist Salary in Canada
In Canada, journalist salaries can vary significantly based on the specific job position, experience, and area of expertise. Here’s an overview of typical journalist salaries based on job positions as of 2025:
| Job Positions | Average Salary Per Year |
| Reporter | CAD 56,396 |
| Social Media Specialist | CAD 55,000 |
| Copywriter | CAD 57,054 |
| Content Writer | CAD 43,000 |
| Editor | CAD 61,423 |
| Writer | CAD 40,000 |
| Critic | CAD 58,500 |
| Journalist | CAD 67,000 |
| Content Producer | CAD 69,842 |
| Producer | CAD 73,466 |
Here is A Complete Guide on Internships in Canada
FAQs
In Canada, the average compensation for a journalist is 32 CAD per hour or 62,400 CAD per year. Most experienced workers earn up to 80,649 CAD annually, while entry-level roles begin at 50,000 CAD.
Therefore, the Federal Job Bank indicates that the employment forecast for journalists is “moderate” for the 2023–2025 term, which may help you decide whether or not to continue in the field. The job bank maintained by the Government of Canada indicates that there are approximately 4,350 journalists employed in Ontario.
A college degree or a university degree in journalism or a closely related subject (such as communications) is required of journalists. Depending on the role, there may be additional qualifications that include: a history or English degree from a university, combined with experience as a writer.
This was all about the journalist’s salary in Canada for 2025. If you are interested in knowing more about such an article, follow Leverage Edu and our official page, Jobs Abroad.
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