Rank,State,PR specialists per reporter,PR specialists (27-3031),"News analysts, reporters and journalists (27-3023)","Reporters per 100,000 residents","Rank: fewest reporters per 100,000","PR specialists per 100,000 residents","Rank: most PR specialists per 100,000",PR specialist median annual wage ($),Reporter median annual wage ($),"Pay gap, PR minus reporter ($)",News desert counties (Medill 2026),Counties with one local news source (Medill 2026),Pay gap in weeks of reporter pay,Reporter estimate relative standard error (%),"Rank, May 2024 estimates","Rank, May 2023 estimates","Resident population, July 1, 2025",Source
1,Minnesota,16.2,8260,510,8.7,17,141.7,4,68620,46490,22130,1,18,24.8,17.0,2,2,5830405,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
2,Hawaii,15.0,1800,120,8.4,14,125.6,6,63880,56730,7150,1,0,6.6,16.0,13,12,1432820,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
3,Vermont,14.0,1260,90,14.0,43,195.5,2,66060,46970,19090,1,3,21.1,21.8,9,11,644663,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
4,Delaware,13.3,930,70,6.6,4,87.7,15,76120,55600,20520,0,0,19.2,11.0,1,3,1059952,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
5,New Hampshire,12.7,1140,90,6.4,3,80.5,20,73280,48450,24830,1,1,26.6,14.4,16,6,1415342,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
6,Colorado,12.6,7410,590,9.8,24,123.2,7,80680,60770,19910,6,29,17.0,9.1,11,16,6012561,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
7,Arizona,11.9,5350,450,5.9,2,70.2,30,66710,43100,23610,1,3,28.5,15.0,7,19,7623818,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
8,Oregon,11.0,4510,410,9.6,22,105.5,9,74900,49200,25700,3,12,27.2,10.8,5,9,4273586,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
9,North Carolina,10.7,9910,930,8.3,11,88.5,14,67230,58670,8560,8,49,7.6,18.3,12,7,11197968,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
10,Missouri,10.0,4820,480,7.7,7,76.9,26,61130,46920,14210,2,69,15.7,16.6,3,1,6270541,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
11,New Jersey,10.0,4980,500,5.2,1,52.2,40,80130,59830,20300,0,1,17.6,18.2,14,33,9548215,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
12,District of Columbia,9.7,16720,1720,248.0,51,2410.5,1,102740,105390,-2650,n/a,n/a,-1.3,12.7,15,18,693645,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
13,Pennsylvania,9.6,11180,1160,8.9,19,85.6,17,57460,n/a,n/a,0,18,n/a,9.0,18,21,13059432,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
14,Texas,9.4,25220,2670,8.4,15,79.5,23,65160,48470,16690,34,134,17.9,7.8,8,5,31709821,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
15,Virginia,9.0,9990,1110,12.5,37,112.5,8,80380,62140,18240,16,64,15.3,7.3,20,13,8880107,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
16,Massachusetts,8.3,6760,810,11.3,34,94.5,12,79660,n/a,n/a,0,1,n/a,22.8,22,14,7154084,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
17,California,7.9,32710,4140,10.5,27,83.1,18,85030,n/a,n/a,2,16,n/a,8.5,21,22 (tie),39355309,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
18,Michigan,7.8,7510,960,9.5,21,74.2,28,65300,62760,2540,3,34,2.1,9.3,6,17,10127884,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
19,Rhode Island,7.6,1140,150,13.5,41,102.3,10,77540,74570,2970,0,0,2.1,7.5,10,8,1114521,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
20,Utah,7.5,1800,240,6.8,5,50.9,42,62670,61880,790,6,14,0.7,16.9,4,4,3538904,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
21,Washington,7.3,6430,880,11.0,31,80.4,21,87470,54760,32710,2,10,31.1,9.0,25,35,8001020,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
22,Maryland,7.2,4190,580,9.3,20,66.9,31,79560,63680,15880,0,9,13.0,20.3,23,30,6265347,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
23,Florida,7.2,17820,2490,10.6,28,76.0,27,63660,58730,4930,6,24,4.4,12.7,28,20,23462518,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
24,Alaska,7.1,640,90,12.2,35,86.8,16,70050,43820,26230,7,5,31.1,13.7,26,15,737270,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
25,Indiana,7.1,3750,530,7.6,6,53.8,37,64900,47610,17290,5,44,18.9,12.9,29,41,6973333,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
26,Kentucky,7.0,2580,370,8.0,9,56.0,35,60150,47530,12620,8,84,13.8,10.1,44,39 (tie),4606864,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
27,New Mexico,6.6,1130,170,8.0,8,53.2,38,68700,54610,14090,6,14,13.4,17.4,19,22 (tie),2125498,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
28,South Carolina,6.1,2950,480,8.6,16,53.0,39,62730,47940,14790,4,24,16.0,10.9,35,46,5570274,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
29,Montana,6.1,1760,290,25.3,49,153.8,3,63780,47960,15820,11,29,17.2,8.9,38,43,1144694,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
30,Wyoming,6.0,480,80,13.6,42,81.5,19,67490,36040,31450,0,8,45.4,12.7,37,39 (tie),588753,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
31,Wisconsin,6.0,4410,740,12.4,36,73.8,29,67240,57530,9710,2,22,8.8,8.7,27,25,5972787,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
32,Kansas,5.8,2340,400,13.4,39,78.6,25,64860,45870,18990,9,53,21.5,11.7,17,27,2977220,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
33,Illinois,5.8,6200,1060,8.3,12,48.7,44,76380,60590,15790,15,36,13.6,16.1,40,28,12719141,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
34,Oklahoma,5.7,2280,400,9.7,23,55.3,36,64920,48210,16710,1,32,18.0,9.1,32,42,4123288,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
35,Tennessee,5.6,3380,600,8.2,10,46.2,46,60900,62390,-1490,3,65,-1.2,11.7,39,29,7315076,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
36,Maine,5.6,1400,250,17.7,45,98.9,11,62450,50090,12360,4,3,12.8,8.8,42,32,1414874,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
37,Idaho,5.5,1220,220,10.8,30,60.1,33,61110,51190,9920,9,25,10.1,15.3,30,31,2029733,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
38,Ohio,5.0,6670,1340,11.3,32,56.0,34,64840,47880,16960,4,35,18.4,15.1,34,24,11900510,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
39,New York,4.9,28250,5750,28.7,50,141.2,5,81250,100770,-19520,0,14,-10.1,4.5,36,36,20002427,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
40,Iowa,4.9,2890,590,18.2,46,89.2,13,62970,43540,19430,0,25,23.2,12.0,31,37,3238387,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
41,Alabama,4.5,2410,530,10.2,25,46.4,45,61710,43440,18270,2,33,21.9,10.8,43,26,5193088,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
42,Nebraska,4.5,1590,350,17.3,44,78.8,24,61780,40420,21360,12,50,27.5,7.5,46,48,2018006,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
43,Georgia,4.5,6860,1520,13.4,40,60.7,32,73200,81910,-8710,16,120,-5.5,10.9,41,44,11302748,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
44,Nevada,4.3,1600,370,11.3,33,48.7,43,73840,78550,-4710,2,7,-3.1,22.4,47,38,3282188,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
45,Louisiana,4.2,1710,410,8.9,18,37.0,47,60470,50750,9720,4,27,10.0,14.9,48,49,4618189,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
46,Connecticut,4.1,1910,470,12.7,38,51.8,41,84990,61620,23370,0,1,19.7,26.8,24,34,3688496,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
47,North Dakota,4.0,640,160,20.0,47,80.1,22,70280,43420,26860,3,32,32.2,12.7,45,47,799358,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
48,Arkansas,3.8,980,260,8.3,13,31.5,49,65000,37450,27550,3,48,38.3,10.6,33,10,3114791,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
49,Mississippi,3.1,950,310,10.5,26,32.2,48,59810,45240,14570,5,64,16.7,7.6,49,45,2954160,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
50,West Virginia,1.8,350,190,10.8,29,19.8,51,56730,35280,21450,3,35,31.6,17.9,50,50,1766147,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"
51,South Dakota,1.1,210,190,20.3,48,22.5,50,64520,43520,21000,7,34,25.1,10.3,51,51,935094,"Prism PR analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates and Northwestern University Medill Local News Initiative, State of Local News 2026"