It can be hard, depending on what your specialty is. In investigative journalism, it can sometimes take years to put together all the evidence needed to break a story. Beat reporting (court, police, etc.) is pretty straighforward, and can sometimes be dull. Feature writing leaves the reporter a lot of creative leeway, as these are usually human interest stories.
How much you get paid usually depends on who you work for and how much experience you have. It's usually not much for entry-level reporters.
My advice to you is to study hard and do well in school, but as far as your writing, do not rely so much on what they are teaching you in school as to pay attention to what you learn from life. The more diversity you experience, the better reporter you will become.
Read voraciously, ask questions incessantly,and study other writer's styles, and not just journalists.
Drawing from personal experiences, your own as well as other's, and combining it with your book-learning is what makes a good reporter.
And remember, no remarkable accomplishments are ever easy.
I wish you well in your future endeavors. If there is any way I can help guide you in your journalistic pursuit, please don't hesitate to reply back.