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Freelance reporter vs staff reporter

The differences between freelance reporters and staff 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 staff reporter. Additionally, a freelance reporter has an average salary of $59,035, which is higher than the $44,906 average annual salary of a staff reporter.

The top three skills for a freelance reporter include photography, feature stories and conduct interviews. The most important skills for a staff reporter are news stories, event coverage, and feature stories.

Freelance reporter vs staff reporter overview

Freelance ReporterStaff Reporter
Yearly salary$59,035$44,906
Hourly rate$28.38$21.59
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs3,76870,415
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Freelance reporter vs staff reporter salary

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

Freelance ReporterStaff Reporter
Average salary$59,035$44,906
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $101,000Between $26,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-VanEck
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between freelance reporter and staff reporter education

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

Freelance ReporterStaff Reporter
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 staff reporter demographics

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

Freelance ReporterStaff Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.4% Female, 56.6%Male, 44.4% Female, 55.6%
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, 12.8% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between freelance reporter and staff 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.
  • Show more

Staff reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Utilize photography skills and assist editor with operations.
  • Perform copy editing, publicity and photography as needed.
  • Create multiple PL/SQL store procedures for generating daily and monthly reports for different medical requirements.
  • Report from red-carpet events, including: MTV

Freelance reporter vs staff reporter skills

Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%
Common staff reporter skills
  • News Stories, 14%
  • Event Coverage, 12%
  • Feature Stories, 12%
  • News Articles, 6%
  • Conduct Interviews, 3%
  • Local Government, 3%

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