SSalario

Broadcast Journalist Salary in El Paso, TX: 2026

Broadcast Journalist salary data for El Paso, TX, adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The estimated median Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso, TX is $51,004 per year ($4,250/month, $25/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median) by the local cost of living index of 82, which is 18% below the national average.

Entry Level
$31K
$15/hr
Median
$51K
$25/hr
Senior
$77K
$37/hr
Top Earner
$113K
$54/hr

All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by El Paso's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.

Broadcast Journalist Take-Home Pay in El Paso

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$51,004
Federal Tax-$3,940
State Tax (0.0% eff.)-$0
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$3,902
Annual Take-Home$43,162
Monthly Take-Home$3,597

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$950/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio22.4%
Median Home Price$195,000
Cost of Living Index82
City Median Salary (BLS metro, all jobs)$39,510
Broadcast Journalist vs City Median+$11,494

Broadcast Journalist Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Job Growth
-5.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

ReportingVideo ProductionLive BroadcastingInterviewingWriting

El Paso Job Market Overview

El Paso, Texas has a population of 678,815 and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. The top industries are Military, Healthcare, Trade. The local job growth rate is 1.5%, and the average commute time is 22minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.

Salary Percentile Breakdown: Broadcast Journalist in El Paso

Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Broadcast Journalist in El Paso, TX, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$31,406$15/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$41,205$20/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$51,004$25/hrMid-career, 2-4 years
75th$76,506$37/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$112,832$54/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in El Paso's Military sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Salario's national dataset models approximately 5.0% salary growth for Broadcast Journalists over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the El Paso estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:

5 Years Ago
$48,575
Adjusted for El Paso COL
Today (2026)
$51,004
+5.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$53,554
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Broadcast Journalist can expect a 16.0% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in El Paso. Negotiation, certifications (None required), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

El Paso vs National Average

The national median Broadcast Journalist salary is $62,200 (BLS OEWS May 2025, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists). In El Paso, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $51,004 is 18.0% below the national figure. This reflects El Paso's cost of living index of 82 (lower than the national average of 100).

For Broadcast Journalists, this means: rent typically consumes 26.4% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in El Paso costs about 4.5× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in El Paso.

Industry Context: Military in El Paso

El Paso's economy is anchored by Military, Healthcare, Trade, with 678,815 residents and an unemployment rate of 4.0% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Broadcast Journalists can differ by sector, so compare Military employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 1.5%, and Salario's job dataset lists a -5.0% growth outlook for Broadcast Journalist roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Broadcast Journalist salaries in El Paso, TX:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available (the national median is calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists). For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the El Paso index of 82 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), TX 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 0.0%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Broadcast Journalist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Military vs others in El Paso), specific skill set (Reporting, Video Production, Live Broadcasting), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso, TX?
Salario estimates the median Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso, TX at $51,004 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Broadcast Journalist benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 82, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $31,406, and the senior estimate is $76,506 or more.
How much does a Broadcast Journalist take home in El Paso after taxes?
A Broadcast Journalist earning the median salary of $51,004 in El Paso, TX takes home approximately $43,162 per year ($3,597/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 15.4%.
Is El Paso a good city for Broadcast Journalists?
El Paso, TX has a cost of living index of 82 (below national average). Broadcast Journalists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.0% and top industries include Military, Healthcare, Trade.
What skills are needed for a Broadcast Journalist in El Paso?
Key skills for Broadcast Journalists include Reporting, Video Production, Live Broadcasting, Interviewing, Writing. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include None required.
How does Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Broadcast Journalist is $62,200 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In El Paso, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $51,004, which is 18.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay

Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.

Calculate Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso, TX?

Salario estimates the median Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso, TX at $51,004 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Broadcast Journalist benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 82, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $31,406, and the senior estimate is $76,506 or more.

How much does a Broadcast Journalist take home in El Paso after taxes?

A Broadcast Journalist earning the median salary of $51,004 in El Paso, TX takes home approximately $43,162 per year ($3,597/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 15.4%.

Is El Paso a good city for Broadcast Journalists?

El Paso, TX has a cost of living index of 82 (below national average). Broadcast Journalists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.0% and top industries include Military, Healthcare, Trade.

What skills are needed for a Broadcast Journalist in El Paso?

Key skills for Broadcast Journalists include Reporting, Video Production, Live Broadcasting, Interviewing, Writing. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include None required.

How does Broadcast Journalist salary in El Paso compare to the national average?

Salario's national median benchmark for Broadcast Journalist is $62,200 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In El Paso, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $51,004, which is 18.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.