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Freelance reporter vs beat reporter

The differences between freelance reporters and beat 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 freelance reporter and a beat reporter. Additionally, a beat reporter has an average salary of $65,737, which is higher than the $59,035 average annual salary of a freelance reporter.

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

Freelance reporter vs beat reporter overview

Freelance ReporterBeat Reporter
Yearly salary$59,035$65,737
Hourly rate$28.38$31.60
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs3,7682,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 86%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Freelance reporter vs beat reporter salary

Freelance reporters and beat reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Freelance ReporterBeat Reporter
Average salary$59,035$65,737
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $101,000Between $36,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between freelance reporter and beat reporter education

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

Freelance ReporterBeat Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 86%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Freelance reporter vs beat reporter demographics

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

Freelance ReporterBeat Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.4% Female, 56.6%Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between freelance reporter and beat reporter duties and responsibilities

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.
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Beat reporter example responsibilities.

  • Develop and write columns and editorials in the sports field as well as managed the blog website.
  • Update newspaper's Facebook account.
  • Cover issues relating back to health, writing print stories, producing broadcast video and photography.
  • Used twitter to monitor trending topics and reach out to points of contact to cover crime and jurisprudence.
  • Interview sources daily; coordinate frequently with editorial and photography departments.
  • Construct and edit web-published multimedia pieces that are featured on the university's athletic programs.
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Freelance reporter vs beat reporter skills

Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%
Common beat reporter skills
  • Feature Stories, 17%
  • Twitter, 10%
  • Hard News Stories, 8%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Photography, 6%
  • Press Conferences, 5%

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