Passionate about journalism but worried that journalism salary is low? Journalism is one of the highest-paid jobs in Cameroon when you study in the right institution with the right curriculum. As the media landscape in Cameroon continues to evolve, the earning potential for journalists has become increasingly diverse and multifaceted. Gone are the days when a journalist’s income was solely dependent on their role within a traditional radio, TV, or newspaper outlet. Today, savvy journalists in Cameroon are leveraging a wide range of skills and income streams to maximize their earning potential in FCFA (Central African CFA Franc).

Let’s take a closer look at the various ways a journalist in Cameroon can generate income in the modern media industry:

Radio, TV, and Newspaper Journalism:

Journalism salary in traditional media outlets in Cameroon can still command respectable salaries. Presenters, program hosts, and on-air talent in the radio and TV industry can earn between 1,000,000 FCFA to 5,000,000 FCFA per year, according to local rate analysis in different radio and TV in Cameroon. In the newspaper industry, reporters and columnists can earn between 1,500,000 FCFA to 4,000,000 FCFA annually, with the higher end of the scale reserved for those in larger metropolitan markets.

Online Journalism and Content Creation:

In the digital age, Cameroonian journalists have unprecedented opportunities to diversify their income streams. Maintaining a successful blog or website with significant traffic can generate revenue through advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, potentially earning you 500,000 FCFA to 5,000,000 FCFA per month or more in journalism salary, depending on your audience, and monetization strategies, as reported by Medium.

Social Media Monetization:

Savvy Cameroonian journalists can also capitalize on their social media following by monetizing platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Through sponsored content, brand partnerships, and platform-specific monetization programs, journalists can earn anywhere from 250,000 FCFA to 2,500,000 FCFA or more per month in journalism salary, depending on their engagement, content length (watch hours), audience size, and the value they can provide to brands.

Graphic Design, Marketing and Website Design and Management:

Journalists in Cameroon with diverse skills can also explore opportunities in graphic design, marketing, and website development and management. By offering services such as weekly design work, social media management, and website development and maintenance, journalists can earn additional income ranging from 500,000 FCFA to 2,500,000 FCFA or more per month, depending on the scope of their services and client base.

Film and Television Production:

For journalists in Cameroon with a passion for visual storytelling, opportunities in film, television, documentaries and media production can be lucrative. Roles as actors, producers, or directors can generate income from projects, with salaries ranging from 2,500,000 FCFA to 5,000,000 FCFA or more, depending on the scale and success of the production.

Research and Data Analysis:

Journalists in Cameroon can also leverage their research and data analysis skills to generate additional income. By offering services such as market research, data analysis, and statistical reporting using tools like SPSS, journalists can earn between 50,000 FCFA to 5,000,000 FCFA per project, depending on the scope and complexity of the work.

Is it possible to study all these in a journalism programme and earn such a journalism salary?

What opportunities lie for you at Buea Institute of Technology (BIT) in studying HND journalism?

How will Buea Institute of Technology (BIT) Shape your career to earn such a journalism salary

You can leverage a combination of these income streams all together with BIT’s practical-based and digitally-oriented HND Journalism programme. BIT’s certificate in Journalism programme offers you additional opportunities in professionalism and practicality by enabling you to study graphic designing with Adobe Photoshop to boost your Advertisement and Public Relations skills, layout and publishing with Adobe InDesign to make you an expert in publishing, web design with content management system (WordPress) to boost your online journalism career and gives you a new skill set which is website development and management.

The curriculum also covers video editing with Adobe Premier Pro, Audio editing with Adobe Audition to boost your production skills, social media marketing and management, and search engine optimization (SEO) to make you an expert in online public relations, online advertisement and digital marketing. The curriculum explores the inside-out of affiliate marketing and online payment systems such as Apple Pay, PayPal, VISA, Master Cards and more, to support your online transactions and digital workspace.

They teach research to its fullest with practical data analysis skills with SPSS and other amazing practical skills awaiting you such as investigative journalism. Journalists in Cameroon can create a sustainable and diversified career path, earning anywhere from 2,500,000 FCFA to 10,000,000 FCFA or more per year, depending on the size of their audience with all the expertise and value to offer clients obtained from BIT’s HND Journalism curriculum.

The key to success in the modern media industry in Cameroon is to embrace the multifaceted nature of journalism and continuously expand your skillset. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your career, understanding the earning potential and income opportunities available to journalists can help you make informed decisions and achieve your financial goals.

There you have it, the intricacy of journalism salary when you study at BIT. Start your career and be in the leading industry (Media) alongside other tech fields. See BIT’s HND Journalism Programme.

NOTE: You can ONLY study Journalism in this form when studying at Buea Institute of Technology, only their curriculum covers these opportunities listed, the reason why it can be labelled one of the best schools to study journalism or one of the best journalism schools in Buea and Cameroon.