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Job outlook for desk reporters in the United States
Are desk reporter jobs in demand?
Desk reporter job and salary trends over time
Desk reporter jobs over time
Desk reporter job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 46 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 49 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 43 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 45 | 0.00% |
Average desk reporter salary over time
Desk reporter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $72,636 | $34.92 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $70,172 | $33.74 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $68,158 | $32.77 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $65,036 | $31.27 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $62,475 | $30.04 | +4.0% |
Desk reporter jobs by state
Most common states for desk reporters
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 111 | 16% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 346 | 6% |
| 4 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 970 | 5% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 425 | 5% |
| 6 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 143 | 5% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 35 | 5% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
| 9 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 301 | 4% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 267 | 4% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 37 | 4% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,047 | 3% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 333 | 3% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 181 | 3% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 181 | 3% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 108 | 3% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 107 | 3% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 39 | 3% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 36 | 3% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 16 | 3% |
Desk Reporter job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of desk reporter experts
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Lehigh University
Luther College
California State University
Colorado Public Radio
Arkansas State University
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate HeadUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Desk Reporter job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.: Obviously work that can be done remotely is at a premium, and writers in particular will benefit from this. Freelance writers have long worked remotely and on their own schedule. The shift now will involve science writers, technical writers, corporate communications professionals-anyone who knows how to put sentences together with clarity, elegance, and professionalism. So the ability to write well-the way that English majors are trained to-is key to capitalizing on the trends.
What Desk Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.: I think graduates should always find ways to offer their services to professional organizations-nonprofits, small businesses, even larger firms. If graduates can get a foot in the door with a professional organization-paid or unpaid-and work to hone their writing and communicating skills, they'll be well positioned to pursue a variety of alternative career paths.
Jack Lule Ph.D.
Lacocca ProfessorLehigh University
Department of Journalism and Communication
What experience really stands out on Desk Reporter resumes?
Jack Lule Ph.D.: I think ANY experience stands out at first. We require that students work for the college newspaper. We require that students work a senior internship-and we set it up for them. We help them get other internships during the summers. But as employers dig deeper into student resumes, the ability of students to work on their own will really stand out. Organizations are so lean these days that no one has the time, unfortunately, to train or teach a new employee. Students have to be prepared to hit the ground running-or more likely-sprinting!
What type of skills will young Desk Reporters need?
David Faldet: Those college years of reading, writing, and discussing literature mean English majors have three skills business leaders want: creativity, the ability to communicate well, and the empathy that can set a person or a business apart. Creativity is crucial in a time of change such as this one, and as employers look to transform their business model. Good communication is basic within a business and in reaching out to the market. Empathy is there to make sure communication matters and reaches a receptive audience.
What general advice would you give to a Desk Reporter?
Aaron Quinn Ph.D.: Practice, practice, practice. Seek feedback from experienced practitioners, and don't let your ego stunt your growth. I would do the exact same thing if I went back to working in a newsroom again, and this is something that as a department we seek out from our advisory board of professionals. We craft our practice-based curriculum in large part based on feedback from professionals, even if it sometimes runs contrary to our intuitions and biases.
What Desk Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachel Estabrook: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I'd suggest they try to establish a freelancing relationship with a news outlet they want to work for. There's no better way to get on a hiring manager's radar than to show them your work. Pitch some stories you think would expand the news outlet's coverage. Or, if you're not ready for that yet or can't afford to do that, spend your free time reading about a topic that interests you that you want to report on, and think about how you'd want to cover those stories, so you're ready to pitch when the time comes to apply for jobs. Or, spend your time building your technical skills. Data reporting skills are really valuable in newsrooms, as are coding skills. In radio, get familiar with audio editing. You can use free software online and record on a phone; the barrier to entry in audio is low. Experiment and build your portfolio so you can demonstrate interest when the time comes to apply for jobs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Desk Reporter job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ronald Sitton Ph.D.: Although the pandemic definitely presents a challenge to incoming journalists, the bigger challenge may be the news deserts popping up throughout the country. Fewer outlets mean fewer traditional opportunities. Those entering the industry will not only be competing with other graduates, but also with veteran journalists now seeking employment. The pandemic adds another layer: many interviews will be conducted over the internet instead of in-person. Those who aren't professional in these interviews face additional hiring challenges, e.g., nobody's going to hire someone who interviews from their bed in pajamas.
Yet those who can be comfortable and professional in an internet interview will show potential employers that they can be expected to conduct themselves professionally in a setting that's becoming increasingly common. The pandemic continues to require journalists to innovate when obtaining information. For example, instead of being able to visit a source in their professional setting, now they will often see the source work from home. Noticing how the source chooses to present themselves in that setting will provide details for stories the general public might not otherwise see. Will their animals or children walk in and out during the interview? How does the source react to interruptions? As a result, journalists have an opportunity to make their sources more "human" for the audience.
Although much has gone online, it will still be necessary for broadcast journalists to gather B-roll and natural sound for their work. It will still be necessary for print and online journalists to include photography with their written work. Journalism isn't a job for people who want to stay home during the pandemic.