Columnists play a very important role in today's print and web media. Their job basically involves writing as well as editing columns in popular magazines and newspapers. The salary is competitive because of the consistent demand and scope of work for them. Before we discuss the salary information, let us acquaint ourselves with the nature of work, for a typical columnist. Job Description The duty of newspaper or magazine columnists is to provide authentic and latest details to their readers through quality writing. They can choose to write on topics such as business, politics, sports, religion, etc., depending on their knowledge, inclination and experience. They should try and express their thoughts and ideas in an unbiased manner. Columnists can achieve a lot of fame, if they deliver interesting content consistently. At the same time, they need to make sure that they are not hurting sentiments of any particular group or community through their writings. Their views should be backed by concrete proofs and facts. To become a columnist, there are no specific qualifications. However, most of them have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in fields such as literature or have completed high level education in the English language. A degree in mass communication and journalism can also be the best way to start a career as a columnist. They need to have very strong writing skills as they should be able to place their thoughts before the readers in an easy to understand way. Major recruiters include reputed magazines and newspapers, where they can reach higher posts, through consistent efforts and good performance. Expected Salaries Columnist salaries largely depend on their number of years of experience, educational qualifications, command over language, writing skills, job location, and type of employers they are working for. Generally, the entry-level salaries are low and they rise greatly with an experience of three to five years. The salary in states such as New York and California are quite higher, compared to those in other states. They earn a median salary of around USD 35,000 per year. Most columnists engaged in writing content for newspapers make around USD 40,000 per year. Salaries for sports columnists can be anything between USD 35,000 to USD 55,000 per year, depending on their level of expertise. Initially, they may have to start off with salaries between USD 25,000 to USD 30,000 per year and see steady growth over the years. The outlook for the job of a columnist is good and with the consistent growth in the print and web media sectors, these professionals can look forward to a bright future.