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Freelance reporter vs journalist

The differences between freelance reporters and journalists 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 journalist. Additionally, a journalist has an average salary of $60,828, 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 journalist are news stories, multimedia, and story development.

Freelance reporter vs journalist overview

Freelance ReporterJournalist
Yearly salary$59,035$60,828
Hourly rate$28.38$29.24
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs3,76811,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Freelance reporter vs journalist salary

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

Freelance ReporterJournalist
Average salary$59,035$60,828
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $101,000Between $38,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Bloomberg
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between freelance reporter and journalist education

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

Freelance ReporterJournalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Freelance reporter vs journalist demographics

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

Freelance ReporterJournalist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.4% Female, 56.6%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
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, 9.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between freelance reporter and journalist 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.
  • Show more

Journalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage studio operations, ensuring that shows run efficiently by floor directing, prompting and providing scripts.
  • Partner closely with 13WHAM ABC Rochester.
  • Award regional EMMY for spot news.
  • Edit headline packages, kickers, bumps and topicals.
  • Update stories to web page, twitter, and facebook.
  • Used ENG trucks to distribute live news feeds during broadcasts.
  • Show more

Freelance reporter vs journalist skills

Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%
Common journalist skills
  • News Stories, 15%
  • Multimedia, 11%
  • Story Development, 11%
  • Local Community, 7%
  • Edit Video, 5%
  • Local News, 4%

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