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The differences between desk editors and news reporters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a desk editor, becoming a news reporter takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a desk editor has an average salary of $53,061, which is higher than the $41,481 average annual salary of a news reporter.
The top three skills for a desk editor include assignment desk, news stories and facebook. The most important skills for a news reporter are digital marketing, local community, and facebook.
| Desk Editor | News Reporter | |
| Yearly salary | $53,061 | $41,481 |
| Hourly rate | $25.51 | $19.94 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -10% |
| Number of jobs | 29,023 | 11,609 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
In journalism, a desk editor is in charge of performing extensive research to find new leads and potential stories for news outlets. Among their responsibilities include monitoring mediums such as the internet and police scanners, communicating with tipsters through calls and correspondence, coordinating with police officers and witnesses, and conducting interviews when necessary. Furthermore, as a desk editor, it is essential to be proactive and alert in order to produce quality materials in a timely and efficient manner, all while adhering to the station's policies and regulations.
News Reporters collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events through interview, investigation, or observation. They carry cameras and take photos and video footage of objects or places of potential significance.
Desk editors and news reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desk Editor | News Reporter | |
| Average salary | $53,061 | $41,481 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $81,000 | Between $26,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | The Monitor Group |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a desk editor and a news reporter in terms of educational background:
| Desk Editor | News Reporter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Journalism |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between desk editors' and news reporters' demographics:
| Desk Editor | News Reporter | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.4% Female, 50.6% | Male, 45.0% Female, 55.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |