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Editorial writer vs freelance reporter

The differences between editorial writers 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 an editorial writer and a freelance reporter. Additionally, a freelance reporter has an average salary of $59,035, which is higher than the $54,192 average annual salary of an editorial writer.

The top three skills for an editorial writer include editorials, SEO and opinion pieces. The most important skills for a freelance reporter are photography, feature stories, and conduct interviews.

Editorial writer vs freelance reporter overview

Editorial WriterFreelance Reporter
Yearly salary$54,192$59,035
Hourly rate$26.05$28.38
Growth rate6%-10%
Number of jobs14,9653,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4640
Years of experience22

Editorial writer vs freelance reporter salary

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

Editorial WriterFreelance Reporter
Average salary$54,192$59,035
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $77,000Between $34,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityEdison, NJ-
Highest paying stateVirginia-
Best paying companyQualcomm-
Best paying industry--

Differences between editorial writer and freelance reporter education

There are a few differences between an editorial writer and a freelance reporter in terms of educational background:

Editorial WriterFreelance Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Editorial writer vs freelance reporter demographics

Here are the differences between editorial writers' and freelance reporters' demographics:

Editorial WriterFreelance Reporter
Average age4640
Gender ratioMale, 44.1% Female, 55.9%Male, 43.4% Female, 56.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage11%10%

Differences between editorial writer and freelance reporter duties and responsibilities

Editorial writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage website by uploading and scheduling articles, fixing errors, proofreading, optimizing for SEO, and polishing content.
  • Compose, edit and proofread copy for obituary and life celebration announcements.
  • Research, pitch ideas and write editorials daily, including a community award-winning editorial and recognition for a four-part editorial series.
  • Research and identify public-policy issues and craft the paper's editorial opinions.
  • Write and edit fiction and non-fiction text to accompany products release and distribute internationally.

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

Editorial writer vs freelance reporter skills

Common editorial writer skills
  • Editorials, 36%
  • SEO, 8%
  • Opinion Pieces, 7%
  • Editorial Content, 6%
  • Blog Posts, 5%
  • Press Releases, 4%
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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