The average nominal salary in Kazakhstan for the third quarter of this year amounted to 390.3 thousand tenge. Not every newspaper worker, reporter, or journalist from online media can confirm that they earn at least this much. According to the National Statistics Bureau (NSB) of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the average salary in the "Publishing Activities" category this year is only 332.7 thousand tenge, while those creating television or radio programs earn between 336.9 thousand and 456.3 thousand tenge, as reported by inbusiness.kz with a reference to Finprom.
Judging by the differentiation of average salaries across occupational groups, there is a vertical distribution of income within the media sector. The highest salary levels are found among executives, ranging from 678.9 thousand to 726.8 thousand tenge. Professional specialists, including journalists, correspondents, and reporters, earn between 243.6 thousand and 412 thousand tenge depending on the category of media. The salaries of workers providing the technical capabilities for news and report broadcasts can be considered comparable: from 310 thousand to 335 thousand tenge. The lowest salary levels in companies that produce newspapers, radio broadcasts, or television content are observed among unskilled workers: from 131.4 thousand to 185.2 thousand tenge.
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Using data from statistical collections on salary levels for 2024, we compiled a list of ten different professions for newspapers, radio/television, and online media. Salaries were indicated in a range from minimum to maximum. The overall analysis showed that the highest salary "ceiling" is in online media, while the lowest is in newspapers.
This trend is explained by the overall decline in reader interest in print media and the transition to electronic platforms. Earlier, the portal Energyprom.kz reported that advertising volumes in print media have been declining for several years in a row, while they are growing in online media. As a result, since 2013, more than ten major national and regional newspapers have closed in the country. This year, the trend in the distribution of advertising budgets also favors internet media.
According to the Central Asian Advertising Association, in the first quarter of 2024, the share of internet advertising from the total advertising volume in Kazakhstan reached 46.6%. In contrast, the press receives a very small slice of the advertising "pie": only 1.3%.
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The salary of key media employees—journalists, reporters, and other content creation specialists—averages between 250–300 thousand tenge, with a maximum of 624 thousand tenge. The NSB data is confirmed by the salary offerings for this category of workers on the private recruitment platform Hh.kz. As of November 21, in half of the 75 published vacancies, the offered salary level is capped at 433 thousand tenge, with larger national online publications willing to pay more.
As for the income levels of top media managers, there is a significant range. For example, while editors-in-chief at small newspapers still earn 156 thousand tenge, someone in that role at a major publication can earn up to 760 thousand tenge, and at certain online publications, salaries can reach 1.5 million tenge.
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Here are the results showing the distribution of employees across three categories ("Publishing Activities," "Production of Film and Television Programs," and "Activities for Creating Programs and Broadcasting") based on the size of accrued salaries. In 2024, 16.5% of all hired workers in these groups earn a salary of up to 200 thousand tenge, 20% earn between 200 thousand and 300 thousand tenge, and another 22.5% take home between 300 thousand and 400 thousand tenge. The total share of those whose salaries do not reach or barely reach the average for the economy is 59.1%.
Now let’s examine those who earn more than 400 thousand tenge. The majority of this group, or 23.5% of the total number, consists of media workers earning up to 600 thousand tenge, while about 14% earn between 600 thousand and 1 million tenge. There are not many "millionaires" in the media who are hired workers: only 247 people, or 3.7% of the total number.
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So, what professions in the media allow one to earn a million? Finprom publishes the top 10 media professions with the highest salaries. Most of the list consists of heads of editorial offices and departments. The highest-paid hired worker in the media is the advertising art director, with a salary of about 1.9 million tenge. Such a specialist earns even more than the head of the general directorate (1.6 million tenge). The most lucrative editorial positions are held by individuals earning 1.5 million tenge. Radio station directors earn 868 thousand tenge, while directors of radio and television programs earn 805.9 thousand tenge.
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