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Desk reporter vs freelance reporter

The differences between desk reporters and freelance reporters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a desk reporter and a freelance reporter. Additionally, a desk reporter has an average salary of $72,636, which is higher than the $59,035 average annual salary of a freelance reporter.

The top three skills for a desk reporter include conduct interviews, feature stories and . The most important skills for a freelance reporter are photography, feature stories, and conduct interviews.

Desk reporter vs freelance reporter overview

Desk ReporterFreelance Reporter
Yearly salary$72,636$59,035
Hourly rate$34.92$28.38
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs26,3753,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Desk reporter vs freelance reporter salary

Desk reporters and freelance reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Desk ReporterFreelance Reporter
Average salary$72,636$59,035
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $123,000Between $34,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between desk reporter and freelance reporter education

There are a few differences between a desk reporter and a freelance reporter in terms of educational background:

Desk ReporterFreelance Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Desk reporter vs freelance reporter demographics

Here are the differences between desk reporters' and freelance reporters' demographics:

Desk ReporterFreelance Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 48.5% Female, 51.5%Male, 43.4% Female, 56.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 9.5% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between desk reporter and freelance reporter duties and responsibilities

Desk reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Cooperate with metro reporters, graphic designers, and photojournalist to produce daily-base newspaper.
  • Interview up and coming Latino artists which generate significant increase in readership.

Freelance reporter example responsibilities.

  • Maintain connections to audience on Facebook by posting breaking news, local news, current events and teases for stories.
  • Design websites using HTML code.
  • Work on web pages in Dreamweaver in HTML and CSS.
  • Lead writer that cover various topics revolving around the NFL season and college draft.
  • Enhance publication's online presence by posting material on the newspaper's website and Facebook pages.
  • Provide coverage for topics around sports with a primary focus on MLS, MLB, and NFL.
  • Show more

Desk reporter vs freelance reporter skills

Common desk reporter skills
  • Conduct Interviews, 61%
  • Feature Stories, 39%
Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%

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