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Freelance reporter vs news writer

The differences between freelance reporters and news writers 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 news writer. Additionally, a freelance reporter has an average salary of $59,035, which is higher than the $45,129 average annual salary of a news writer.

The top three skills for a freelance reporter include photography, feature stories and conduct interviews. The most important skills for a news writer are news articles, ABC, and SEO.

Freelance reporter vs news writer overview

Freelance ReporterNews Writer
Yearly salary$59,035$45,129
Hourly rate$28.38$21.70
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs3,76817,010
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Freelance reporter vs news writer salary

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

Freelance ReporterNews Writer
Average salary$59,035$45,129
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $101,000Between $31,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-PitchBook Data
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between freelance reporter and news writer education

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

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

Freelance reporter vs news writer demographics

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

Freelance ReporterNews Writer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.4% Female, 56.6%Male, 45.1% Female, 54.9%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between freelance reporter and news writer 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

News writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage transcription and queuing of b-roll tapes/interviews for live and pre-record broadcasts.
  • Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
  • Anchor news updates for top-rate, personality driven FM morning show.
  • Conduct interviews and create professional visuals with upcoming model and entertainers for lifestyle magazine publication.
  • Involve in newsgathering, show development and writing.
  • Used Photoshop and InDesign to adjust photos and paginate the newspaper.
  • Show more

Freelance reporter vs news writer skills

Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%
Common news writer skills
  • News Articles, 17%
  • ABC, 7%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Edit Video, 6%
  • Control Room, 5%
  • Twitter, 5%

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