A Changing Profession   

A new study finds journalists are older and more satisfied than in the past.

Journalists are older, more degreed and even more satisfied with their jobs these days, according to an Indiana University study.

In a 2002 survey of U.S. journalists, researchers found that the median age of those in the news business is on the rise--41 years old, compared with 36 in 1992. That goes for journalists at daily and weekly newspapers, radio, television, newsmagazines and wire services. Meanwhile, just one-third of the country's journalists are women, most of those working for newsmagazines. And though there are more journalists of color than ever before, 9.5 percent is significantly lower than the percentage of minorities in the country--30.9 percent, according to the 2000 Census.

More and more journalists have been to college, as the survey found that just 11 percent of full-time newsies didn't have at least a bachelor's degree. Of those with degrees, 36.2 percent were journalism majors. All those white collars brought home an average $43,600 a year, up more than $12,000 from 1991's paltry average salary.

Despite the much-reported newsroom morale drain, the survey found job satisfaction building slightly after a 20-year decline. More than 33 percent of journalists say they're "very satisfied" with their jobs. That's 6 percentage points higher than in 1992.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation sponsored the survey.