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The differences between investigative reporters and managing editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an investigative reporter, becoming a managing editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $65,230 average annual salary of an investigative reporter.
The top three skills for an investigative reporter include investigative journalism, investigative stories and facebook. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.
| Investigative Reporter | Managing Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $65,230 | $89,060 |
| Hourly rate | $31.36 | $42.82 |
| Growth rate | -10% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,813 | 16,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An investigative reporter is a journalist who performs extensive research and analysis to build facts and current events into news stories. To make this possible, they must pursue leads relating to their subject, conduct interviews with witnesses or the people involved, travel to different places to gather pieces of evidence and other source materials, take videos or photographs, and coordinate with experts such as lawyers and doctors when necessary. Moreover, an investigative reporter must keep up with the latest trends in establishing news structures and news writing.
Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.
Investigative reporters and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investigative Reporter | Managing Editor | |
| Average salary | $65,230 | $89,060 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $104,000 | Between $59,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | HSBC Bank | Federal Reserve Bank |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Media |
There are a few differences between an investigative reporter and a managing editor in terms of educational background:
| Investigative Reporter | Managing Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Journalism |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between investigative reporters' and managing editors' demographics:
| Investigative Reporter | Managing Editor | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |