Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between desk 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 a desk editor, becoming a reporter takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a desk editor has an average salary of $53,061, which is higher than the $46,667 average annual salary of a reporter.
The top three skills for a desk editor include assignment desk, news stories and facebook. The most important skills for a reporter are news stories, digital marketing, and facebook.
| Desk Editor | Reporter | |
| Yearly salary | $53,061 | $46,667 |
| Hourly rate | $25.51 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -10% |
| Number of jobs | 29,023 | 11,179 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| 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.
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.
Desk editors and reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desk Editor | Reporter | |
| Average salary | $53,061 | $46,667 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $81,000 | Between $29,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Citi |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a desk editor and a reporter in terms of educational background:
| Desk Editor | Reporter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Journalism |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between desk editors' and reporters' demographics:
| Desk Editor | Reporter | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.4% Female, 50.6% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| 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, 6.4% 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% |