2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters

In short

• ONS unit group 2492, in minor group 249 (Media professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £34,000 (£17.44 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,500 (£13.08 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters investigate and write up stories and features for broadcasting and for newspapers, magazines, news website and other periodicals.

Typical entry routes

Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification. A variety of postgraduate diplomas is available. Vocational qualifications covering various aspects of journalism are available at levels 3 and 4.

Tasks

• determines subject matter and undertakes research by interviewing, attending public events, seeking out records, reviewing written work, attending film and stage performances etc
• responds to stories as they break
• writes articles and features and submits draft manuscripts to newspaper, magazine, new website, periodical or programme editor
• engage with the public and disseminate news stories, lifestyle and opinion pieces through social media
• builds contacts in their field to ensure a supply of news
• sub-edits other journalists' stories

Related job titles

• Broadcast journalist
• Digital journalist
• Journalist
• Online journalist
• Radio journalist
• Reporter
• Writer (newspaper publishing)

ONS note: Unit group title was Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters (version V7).

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Broadcast journalists
• Newspaper journalists and reporters
• Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£34,000 (£17.44 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2471

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Broadcast journalists
• Newspaper journalists and reporters
• Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,500 (£13.08 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 249

• 2491 Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors
• 2493 Public relations professionals
• 2494 Advertising accounts managers and creative directors

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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