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News reporter vs production editor

The differences between news reporters and production editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a news reporter, becoming a production editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, which is higher than the $41,481 average annual salary of a news reporter.

The top three skills for a news reporter include digital marketing, local community and facebook. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

News reporter vs production editor overview

News ReporterProduction Editor
Yearly salary$41,481$53,275
Hourly rate$19.94$25.61
Growth rate-10%-5%
Number of jobs11,60962,877
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4044
Years of experience24

What does a news reporter do?

News Reporters collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events through interview, investigation, or observation. They carry cameras and take photos and video footage of objects or places of potential significance.

What does a production editor do?

A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.

News reporter vs production editor salary

News reporters and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

News ReporterProduction Editor
Average salary$41,481$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $64,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHartford, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyThe Monitor GroupRobert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between news reporter and production editor education

There are a few differences between a news reporter and a production editor in terms of educational background:

News ReporterProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

News reporter vs production editor demographics

Here are the differences between news reporters' and production editors' demographics:

News ReporterProduction Editor
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 45.0% Female, 55.0%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between news reporter and production editor duties and responsibilities

News reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Conduct interviews, edit clips and stories, and announce stories/headlines on air.
  • Work with editors to deliver content in the appropriate style with an eye for SEO.
  • Operate digital recording equipment to film b-roll footage, interviews, and on camera reporting.
  • Drive online traffic through social networking, weaving SEO strategy into story copy, and frequent blogging.
  • Work independently gathering news stories, capturing audio sound clips for air, and writing news stories.
  • Show more

Production editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage integration and implementation of site search and train staff on strategic SEO and web best practices.
  • Manage research and identification of all clips and pictures used in the documentary for the purpose of credit and compensation.
  • Typeset editorial content and manage paste-up board production.
  • Boost usability by managing content migration to iApps, leading maintenance & data/functionality QA.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Update online versions of books using UNIX, HTML, and XML technologies.
  • Show more

News reporter vs production editor skills

Common news reporter skills
  • Digital Marketing, 13%
  • Local Community, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 5%
  • Instagram, 4%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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