The starting pay can range from a few months work for free (most internships) at the low end to $40,000+ at the high end. Expect to make around $26,000 if you get hired on salary or an annual contract, and anywhere from $2,000 to the around $30,000 as a freelancer or contract worker. The University has a survey of the salary range of U.S. graduates working in journalism in 2003.