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The differences between assignment editors and reporters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an assignment editor, becoming a reporter takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assignment editor has an average salary of $48,582, which is higher than the $46,667 average annual salary of a reporter.
The top three skills for an assignment editor include twitter, assignment desk and phone calls. The most important skills for a reporter are news stories, digital marketing, and facebook.
| Assignment Editor | Reporter | |
| Yearly salary | $48,582 | $46,667 |
| Hourly rate | $23.36 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -10% |
| Number of jobs | 11,919 | 11,179 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An assignment editor is responsible for handling and delegating tasks to news staff, identifying news sources, and developing accurate and efficient news articles for media and publishing companies. Assignment editors monitor situations for the public's awareness, requiring them to work at the office and conduct field investigations alternately. They also manage the scope and limitation of news coverage, finalizing scripts for television airings, and ensuring that all details are factual-based. An assignment editor should be highly communicative and organizational, as well as attentive, having the ability to finish newsworthy stories within strict deadlines.
In journalism, a reporter is responsible for relaying truthful and reliable information to the public audience through various mediums such as print and media. A reporter must ensure to gather necessary and factual data that are supported by interviews and comments of those involved, remain unbiased in all aspects, produce a concise and comprehensive informational material within an allotted time, and efficiently coordinate with every staff. Furthermore, a reporter must remain professional at all times and adhere to the policies and regulations set by the company or network.
Assignment editors and reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assignment Editor | Reporter | |
| Average salary | $48,582 | $46,667 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $74,000 | Between $29,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | The Washington Post | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Media | Media |
There are a few differences between an assignment editor and a reporter in terms of educational background:
| Assignment Editor | Reporter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Communication | Journalism |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between assignment editors' and reporters' demographics:
| Assignment Editor | Reporter | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |