Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for correspondents in the United States
Are correspondent jobs in demand?
Correspondent job and salary trends over time
Correspondent jobs over time
Correspondent job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,792 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,906 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,022 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,786 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,865 | 0.00% |
Average correspondent salary over time
Correspondent salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $82,217 | $39.53 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $79,427 | $38.19 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $77,148 | $37.09 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $73,614 | $35.39 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $70,716 | $34.00 | +4.0% |
Correspondent jobs by state
Most common states for correspondents
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 18 | 3% |
| 2 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 32 | 1% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 18 | 1% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 7 | 1% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 6 | 1% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 6 | 1% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 4 | 1% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 87 | 0% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 31 | 0% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 27 | 0% |
| 11 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 19 | 0% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 18 | 0% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 14 | 0% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 12 | 0% |
| 15 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 11 | 0% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 9 | 0% |
| 17 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 7 | 0% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 3 | 0% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 2 | 0% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for correspondents
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $109,428 |
| 2 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $66,284 |
Correspondent job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of correspondent experts
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
SUNY College at Oswego
Utah State University
Fairfield University
The University of Findlay
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of San Francisco
Western Kentucky University
Molloy College
Ursinus College
Georgia State University
Montclair State University
New Mexico State University
Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Our Lady of the Lake University
American University
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Laura Wilson: Writing and editing will always be important and prevalent. Clear communication is increasingly important. Encourage writers to work WITH AI by learning how to use the software and edit the output. Encourage exploration of certificates to make them more marketable.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Soma Frazier: AI can do a lot of things writers do, and quickly. It's mastered the hard skills of writing, but it's not yet proficient in the soft skills: in short, it's not human. So, I think soft skills like applying context, nuance and audience awareness to the tone of written work will become evermore crucial.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Shane Graham: Remember the skills you honed as an English major: pay close attention to detail, ground your thinking in evidence, find reliable sources of information, and put things in their larger context. All of these skills will serve you well in whatever job you pursue.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shane Graham: All the skills I mentioned above. Humanities degrees, and the kinds of thinking they encourage, will only become more important in the years to come. AI chatbots can only regurgitate and mimic thinking that already exists in the world; the well-trained human brain can create something new.
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD
Assistant Professor of the Practice and Assistant Director of Core WritingFairfield University
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: People are scared of the blank page. Too often, they think that what they write needs to be perfect in its first iteration; however, that’s a myth and a romantic notion of the lone, solitary writer. In fact, much writing happens in collaboration with others, and people are either drawn to that environment, or they aren’t. Once people realize that writing is malleable, meaning it can be changed and revised again and again, that desire to seek perfection lessens, and Writers are more willing to kill their darlings.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: Writing is a great profession to enter now because it’s a way to reach a specific audience for a specific purpose. With all the misinformation in the world today, Writers have a lot of power. It’s an exciting time to let your voice be heard, whether that’s through fiction, newswriting, memoir, cartoon, or something else.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amy Rogan: Journalists do a number of things and no two days look alike. Journalists need to have sound, solid news judgement and know their audience and what their audience needs to know. They pitch stories to their editors, producers, or managers, then they research their story topic, find the appropriate interviews and set those up. Once they complete the interviews and gather all their research they then have to craft a story that captures the readers’ or viewers’ attention and serves the community. Typically, that is just one day of work unless you’re working on a special project. Multimedia skills are in high demand because journalists are on so many platforms these days. You need to know how to write for print, digital, and broadcast. And, if you know how to shoot and edit video as well as write, your name goes to the top of the list.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: Don't undercut your skills and experience. You are likely qualified for more jobs than you think you are. You need to promote your experience writing in different genres and across media. Likewise, don't be afraid to take on new projects in unfamiliar formats or unfamiliar roles. That is the key to continual growth.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: I think the key to this is through experience and continuing education. Explore volunteer work that will give you the opportunity to use writing skills you don't use in your day job. Stay current with your technological skills, learn new programs and apps, and pay attention to trends in writing, language use, graphic design, and other related fields.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dean Rader: Well, writing, reading, and communication skills are always going to be vital. AI won't change that. In fact, the very things AI can't do yet is be human. And no major trains people better to interact with humans than English. Right now, video game manufacturers need writers, tech companies need editors, Websites need copywriters. But, every field can use an English major. Every field needs people with vision and ideas. The world needs people with clarity, who can articulate ideas, and who can make connections. That defines an English major.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Dean Rader: There is an interesting study I saw recently that shows how humanities majors tend to start out with a lower beginning salary than most other fields. However, in five years, their salaries and their job satisfaction are higher than those from many other disciplines. English majors who can do another thing, who minor in marketing or who can do coding or Web design often have an easier time landing that first job. But, I also often recommend a graduate degree. That may sound counterintuitive given the reports out there about how college and graduate school admissions are plummeting; however, if fewer people are going to graduate school--especially in the humanities--there could very well be a deficit of people in the workforce with advanced training. If you can get an MBA or a JD or a master's without going into too much debt, research shows it pays off down the road.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Paul Cook: English is way more than just the study of literature. English majors learn how to read, write, and speak well—three essential and timeless skills that will serve you well in your professional lives, in a knowledge economy, and in the (post)digital era.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Professor Mac McKerral: Producing quality journalism is not easy. It’s hard work and requires a variety of skills, all of which contribute to quality journalism. The writing, reporting and editing must all be in balance and strong. Anyone can be a journalist these days. But not everyone should. Continue to learn on the job. Find a good mentor/editor and milk that individual for everything he or she can offer. If you want to write about yourself rather than others, seek a different career. Your first job might not be your ideal job, but it will be the ticket to your ideal job. Approach every assignment, regardless of how menial, as if it is the most important story ever. You cannot pick and choose what you want to do well. Anything you report will impact someone. Always remember that. Develop a visceral hate for mistakes. Know what your ethical line in the sand is before you are faced with an ethical conundrum. Understanding where you stand before making ethical decisions will enhance your chances of making the right choice.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Mac McKerral: Fact checking. Ethical use of AI. Getting back to dealing with sources face-to-face. Using literary writing devices to tell great stories.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Professor Mac McKerral: Produce quality work for student publications while in school. Do multiple internships. Hold onto and use what you are taught in school. Be capable of doing anything needed: A/V news gathering and editing; visual work; editing; basic design. Be self-motivated and take initiative. Show a wiliness to learn.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -Again, it depends on the field, as jobs that center on skills you learn by being an English major vary widely. If it is jobs in teaching and studying English language and literature, then being open to interdisciplinary work and the digital humanities/new media will continue to be important. Studying English already requires a certain level of interdisciplinary work, and technology keeps adding to the ways people interact and circulate ideas. In addition, learning how to communicate clearly and understand/interpret what others communicate will always be vital. Given the divisiveness that exists in this world, understanding different perspectives and being able to communicate well with those who hold those perspectives will continue to be important in the field and beyond it.
Jay Shelat
Ursinus College
English Language And Literature
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jay Shelat: The skills that will be important in the next three to five years are literacy, writing, and analysis. These are helpful skills for whichever job you might have.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The need for people who can tell accurate, engrossing stories in a variety of media is increasing. That means being able to write concisely, speak with authority and take photos/video/sound that engage an audience. Don’t expect to have a camera crew or editor at your elbow. The more proficient you can be in mastering those tasks, the more valuable you will be.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: Two things: 1/ Don’t wait to graduate to lay the foundation for your career. Work in the student media. Join organizations that connect you to professionals in your area (press clubs, student chapters of professional organizations). These connections often lead to internships, part-time jobs and freelance opportunities. Classroom learning is key to getting the fundamentals down, but on-the-job experience is priceless. Along with establishing a network, it will provide you with published/broadcast work you can show to future employers. 2/ Do not expect to graduate and start working at The New York Times. It takes years of experience to break into the major media organizations. Start small: Look for opportunities in second- and third-tier media markets (think suburban/rural, not urban). Even at places like CNN, get your foot in the door as a researcher, fact checker or other entry level position and prove yourself. That’s how people get promoted.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Gabriel Aguilar PhD: Department chairs will be the first to tell you in a job interview that salary compression is a real thing when making new hires. The starting salary for an Assistant Professor might eclipse the current salary of tenured Associate Professors, but that's just how the market is. I would recommend that candidates to have multiple offers before negotiating a contract. You may be able to bump the salary up a bit which is great because raises and retirement contributions are calculated from percentages from base salary. If a candidate can't and doesn't have multiple offers, then I recommend looking at other non-salary negotiations such as startup funds, course releases, and moving funds.
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin
Associate Professor, Multimedia JournalismMontclair State University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: In the media industry, making substantial income right from the start can be particularly challenging. However, by cultivating a strong network, seeking guidance from mentors and sources, and securing top internships, you can enhance your prospects of landing a position at a solid media outlet, where earning potential may be greater. I believe strongly in having several side hustles at all times. By maintaining side hustles, it can provide supplementary income and also be a way to nurture your passion if your main gig is not doing it for you. For early career professionals, I advocate prioritizing skill development and pursuing your passions, rather than fixating solely on monetary gain. Instead of focusing on immediate financial rewards, concentrate on gaining valuable experience and recognition for your work. While this may require patience, it ultimately lays a solid foundation for long-term success. In the grand scheme of things, prioritizing experience and long-term growth over immediate financial gain is solid advice when trying to build a sustainable career in the media industry.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: The most valuable advice I could offer to someone embarking on a career in journalism and multimedia storytelling is to immerse yourself in a topic that truly captivates you and then pursue it relentlessly. Strive to become not just proficient, but truly passionate and knowledgeable about your chosen subject matter. By doing so, you'll naturally become somewhat of an expert in the field. I firmly believe in the importance of dedicating significant time and effort to your craft. As Malcolm Gladwell famously suggests, mastery often requires putting in around 10,000 hours of practice. So, start chipping away at that goal, knowing that with perseverance and dedication, great things are bound to happen. In addition to honing your expertise, focus on cultivating a wide network of sources. These individuals can provide you with story ideas, access to compelling characters, and unique opportunities. By building strong relationships within your community, you'll find yourself plugged into a network that can offer both exposure and new avenues for growth. But also cultivate a network of media professionals who do the kind of work that you aspire to do.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Darren Phillips M.A.: First and foremost, I would advise journalists starting out to be curious and to read, read, and read some more. The best storytellers are voracious consumers of information — credible information — and they’re infinitely curious about world events, politics, history, and the like. Knowledge is power. It’s also marketability. Be an expert, or at least know enough about the wider world to be able to bring relevant context and nuance to your work. This requires you to read. For journalism students still in school, this also means taking elective courses in government and economics, geography, and other subjects outside your major that will help you make greater sense of complex topics. Reading and just a life-long commitment to learning are so important.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Darren Phillips M.A.: Maximizing salary potential as a media professional starts with everything I’ve already mentioned. Journalists and even PR and advertising professionals must be extremely well informed on a broad range of topics. This starts with reading and just being a voracious media consumer. This also requires one to think critically, to consume media from disparate sources, to not shy away from contrarian viewpoints, and to work hard and in good faith to synthesize information responsibly. This ties in with maintaining strict allegiance to industry best practices including media ethics. Reputation is everything. Make sure your employers, prospective employers, and clients all understand and appreciate your professional integrity and just your commitment to truth and accuracy. Moreover, embrace change, lean into technological change, and become a bit of a techno geek. Work hard making contacts and building a professional network. Work hard, generally. Hard work goes a long way in any vocation. Beyond that, attend industry conferences, pay close attention to your online presence, curate your social media profiles carefully and put some real time and thought into things like your LinkedIn profile and online portfolio. Lastly, don’t be put off by rejection. Rejection comes with the territory in any competitive career field. Believe in yourself, stay positive, stay open minded, learn all you can, read like crazy, keep grinding, and success will follow eventually.
Dr. Belo Cipriani
Metropolitan State University
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Dr. Belo Cipriani: When employers are looking to hire a writer or content creator they review work samples. As a result, I encourage my students to try to secure more than one internship while in our program. Likewise, I recommend that they consider doing volunteer work with a local nonprofit, as this will help them grow their portfolio of writing credits. I’ve been teaching for 15 years and I have seen many students cut their job search in half and receive higher starting pay by dedicating time to build long lists of projects they can show to potential employers.
What Correspondent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Students will need to become more digital and Social Media savvy. As digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences consume news and information, digital and social media proficiency will be increasingly crucial. However, Multimedia Storytelling must be a cornerstone of our industry. Integrating multimedia elements such as video, audio, graphics, and interactive elements will become more prevalent in broadcast journalism. Professionals who can tell compelling stories using a combination of multimedia formats will be in high demand. I always encourage students to enroll in Data Visualization courses. The ability to extract meaningful insights from data and present them visually engagingly will help broadcasters provide deeper insights and context to their stories. We must remember Mobile Journalism (MoJo). Using your mobile devices to capture, edit, and publish news content will become a standard for journalists. Last but not least, journalists must build meaningful connections with audiences through interactive storytelling, live chats, audience polls, and user-generated content will become increasingly important. Broadcasters who can foster active engagement and dialogue with their audience will be able to cultivate loyal viewership and build community around their content.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Anna Mae Duane: The idea that English majors are not in demand is a myth—don’t harm your own chances by buying into it! There are numerous studies—and countless employer testimonies—that indicate how valuable your skills as an English major are. English majors consistently find work in a variety of fields, and perhaps even more important, alumni of English departments report that they find their jobs and lives rewarding. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 'what sets two equally qualified job candidates apart can be as simple as who has the better communication skills.' You are, in many ways, ahead of the game in comparison to others in your cohort. I’d also urge English majors to think broadly about their career options. Yes, fields like journalism, publishing and advertising all rely on the skills developed in English departments. But other employers, particularly in tech companies, have realized how valuable English majors can be to their organization. As a recent report in Fortune indicates, top executives in AI at IBM and elsewhere realize that having expertise in the Humanities is an essential component for success in their field.
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Ms. Amanda Brown: I'd suggest developing a resilient mindset. Journalism can be tough, often influenced by networking and chance rather than just skill. Don't let criticism discourage you; the industry is vast. Keep pushing forward, and you'll discover your niche where you feel at home.
What will help Correspondents increase their earning potential?
Ms. Amanda Brown: Changes in how people interact have made strong interview skills even more critical. Initiating with light conversation before tackling tough questions can significantly influence the outcome. Mastering active listening and effectively communicating with diverse individuals while staying neutral are essential. In journalism, the emphasis is on presenting facts objectively, allowing the story to shine without personal bias.
Assistant Amy Eisman
Assistant ProfessorAmerican University
Arts, Entertainment, And Media Management
What general advice would you give to a Correspondent?
Assistant Amy Eisman: One skill is easy: be flexible. The technology is changing at lightning speed. At the moment, it helps to be strong at data journalism and understanding emergent technology, such as AI. Topic areas of interest include climate coverage, health and education. It also helps to be a great team player; the speed of news means you rarely work alone. Overall, make sure you embrace the basics in the field: accuracy, fairness, transparency, independence and accountability. Be a solid writer and an even better editor and producer. No one can predict what is next for technology. Employers therefore will look for people who uphold the values of the past, are enthusiastic about the present and are curious about the future.