Post job

Correspondent vs video journalist

The differences between correspondents and video journalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a correspondent and a video journalist. Additionally, a correspondent has an average salary of $82,217, which is higher than the $68,280 average annual salary of a video journalist.

The top three skills for a correspondent include news stories, news coverage and feature stories. The most important skills for a video journalist are story development, adobe premiere, and video content.

Correspondent vs video journalist overview

CorrespondentVideo Journalist
Yearly salary$82,217$68,280
Hourly rate$39.53$32.83
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs2,8357,141
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 84%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a correspondent do?

A Correspondent is the backbone of every news agency today. It is through the correspondent experts write the news of a particular topic. Through Correspondents, a news agency can get an in-depth report of happenings and events which may not be possible through ordinary reporters. Correspondents are expected to have versatility and command on a particular topic. They are resourceful in finding newsworthy articles and getting the necessary interviews and data for a well-balanced informative report.

What does a video journalist do?

Video journalists make videos conveying the news and factual stories for the audiences. Their day-to-day duties may vary but typically include editing, researching, and reporting, developing and planning live or taped video segments, and compiling data from various sources. In addition, a video journalist is responsible for verifying facts, interviewing subjects, and cultivating relationships and sources. Other duties that a video journalist might perform include on-the-spot reporting, anchoring a newscast, and producing content, and taking photos.

Correspondent vs video journalist salary

Correspondents and video journalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

CorrespondentVideo Journalist
Average salary$82,217$68,280
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $134,000Between $41,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe New York Times Company
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between correspondent and video journalist education

There are a few differences between a correspondent and a video journalist in terms of educational background:

CorrespondentVideo Journalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 84%
Most common majorJournalismCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Correspondent vs video journalist demographics

Here are the differences between correspondents' and video journalists' demographics:

CorrespondentVideo Journalist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 45.0% Female, 55.0%Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between correspondent and video journalist duties and responsibilities

Correspondent example responsibilities.

  • Lead reporting in Mongolia, representing AFP's regional headquarters in Beijing.
  • Manage constituent relations regarding financial services, housing, budget, judiciary, homeland security, and government oversight issues.
  • Develop Facebook strategy, execute launch and manage content.
  • Handle education, foreign affairs, judiciary and natural resources issues; assist with appropriations requests.
  • Process FHA, VA and correspondent disclosures.
  • Gain knowledge of interviewing, photography, and newsworthiness.
  • Show more

Video journalist example responsibilities.

  • Create, update and manage digital online web content for each client and their respective YouTube channels.
  • Set up and run live shots on ENG live truck.
  • Use nonlinear digital editing systems to edit clips.
  • Maintain and operate ENG live trucks as needed for live news events.
  • Construct and edit web-published multimedia pieces that are featured on the university's athletic programs.
  • Direct live HD newscasts across multiple channels.
  • Show more

Correspondent vs video journalist skills

Common correspondent skills
  • News Stories, 17%
  • News Coverage, 11%
  • Feature Stories, 7%
  • Instagram, 6%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 4%
Common video journalist skills
  • Story Development, 16%
  • Adobe Premiere, 14%
  • Video Content, 9%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Edit Video, 4%
  • Video Production, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs