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What does an investigative reporter do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

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.

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Investigative reporter responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real investigative reporter resumes:

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Produce and edit clips for the newspaper website.
  • Perform employment, educational, mvr, and professional reference/license checks.
  • Edit video tape to create packages, perform on camera and in voiceovers.
  • Produce videos for DeSmogBlog including longer investigative pieces and short Facebook pieces design to be share.
  • Create headlines for print as well as headlines for the web that are search engine optimize (SEO).
  • Interview persons of interest, organize event calendars, write regular articles, provide consistent photography, and help paraphrase stock compilations
  • Work at CNN full-time in addition to this freelance role.
  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.

Investigative reporter skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Investigative Reporters are proficient in Investigative Journalism, Investigative Stories, and Facebook. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Persistence.

We break down the percentage of Investigative Reporters that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Investigative Journalism, 23%

    Researched and reported on community education issues prominent in South LA while learning about investigative journalism techniques

  • Investigative Stories, 14%

    Reported breaking and general assignment news; covered in-depth investigative stories.

  • Facebook, 10%

    Utilized Facebook and Twitter to generate online traffic for aggregated and original content.

  • Story Development, 7%

    Analyzed information and advised on story development and reporting.

  • News Coverage, 6%

    Provide news coverage of the federal government and its many agencies for non-profit organization Understanding Government.

  • Public Service, 6%

    Awarded First Place and Best of Show for both Public Service Reporting and Reporting Series by the MDDC Press Association.

Common skills that an investigative reporter uses to do their job include "investigative journalism," "investigative stories," and "facebook." You can find details on the most important investigative reporter responsibilities below.

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an investigative reporter to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what investigative reporters do because "reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts must be able to report the news." Additionally, an investigative reporter resume shows how investigative reporters use communication skills: "copyedited internal communications, scripts, press releases, brochures, and training materials. "

Computer skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling investigative reporter duties is computer skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "journalists should be able to use editing equipment and other broadcast-related devices." According to an investigative reporter resume, here's how investigative reporters can utilize computer skills in their job responsibilities: "monitor and input the result(s) of searches into gis internal computer systems. "

Persistence. investigative reporters are also known for persistence, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to investigative reporter responsibilities, because "sometimes, getting the facts of a story is difficult, particularly when those involved refuse to be interviewed or to provide comment." An investigative reporter resume example shows how persistence is used in the workplace: "secured news coverage access through persistence using community contacts. "

Most common investigative reporter skills

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Compare different investigative reporters

Investigative reporter vs. Journalist

A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.

The annual salary of journalists is $4,402 lower than the average salary of investigative reporters.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between investigative reporters and journalists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like investigative journalism, facebook, and story development.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, investigative reporter responsibilities require skills like "investigative stories," "public service," "tip," and "newspapers." Meanwhile a typical journalist has skills in areas such as "news stories," "excellent interpersonal," "multimedia," and "local community." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Journalists tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $64,488. In contrast, investigative reporters make the biggest average salary, $115,469, in the finance industry.On average, journalists reach similar levels of education than investigative reporters. Journalists are 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Investigative reporter vs. Technical editor

A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.

A career as a technical editor brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an investigative reporter. In fact, technical editors salary is $3,513 lower than the salary of investigative reporters per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both investigative reporters and technical editors have skills such as "clips," "feature stories," and "documentaries. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real investigative reporter resumes. While investigative reporter responsibilities can utilize skills like "investigative journalism," "investigative stories," "facebook," and "story development," technical editors use skills like "powerpoint," "english language," "proofreading," and "subject matter experts."

On average, technical editors earn a lower salary than investigative reporters. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical editors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,371. Whereas investigative reporters have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $115,469.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical editors tend to reach similar levels of education than investigative reporters. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Investigative reporter vs. Editor

An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.

On average scale, editors bring in lower salaries than investigative reporters. In fact, they earn a $13,123 lower salary per year.By looking over several investigative reporters and editors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "investigative journalism," "facebook," and "news coverage." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from investigative reporter resumes include skills like "investigative stories," "story development," "public service," and "tip," whereas an editor is more likely to list skills in "web content," "video content," "seo," and "twitter. "

Editors earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $62,170. Comparatively, investigative reporters have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $115,469.editors typically earn similar educational levels compared to investigative reporters. Specifically, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Investigative reporter vs. Managing editor

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.

Managing editors tend to earn a higher pay than investigative reporters by an average of $23,830 per year.According to resumes from investigative reporters and managing editors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "investigative journalism," "facebook," and "story development. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "investigative stories," "public service," "tip," and "clips" are skills that commonly show up on investigative reporter resumes. On the other hand, managing editors use skills like web content, editorial content, seo, and editorial calendar on their resumes.The media industry tends to pay the highest salaries for managing editors, with average annual pay of $79,077. Comparatively, the highest investigative reporter annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, managing editors hold similar degree levels compared to investigative reporters. Managing editors are 0.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of investigative reporter

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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