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Newspaper reporter vs sports writer

The differences between newspaper reporters and sports 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 newspaper reporter and a sports writer. Additionally, a newspaper reporter has an average salary of $49,143, which is higher than the $36,041 average annual salary of a sports writer.

The top three skills for a newspaper reporter include news articles, feature stories and community events. The most important skills for a sports writer are SEO, game coverage, and feature stories.

Newspaper reporter vs sports writer overview

Newspaper ReporterSports Writer
Yearly salary$49,143$36,041
Hourly rate$23.63$17.33
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs2,32916,981
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Newspaper reporter vs sports writer salary

Newspaper reporters and sports writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Newspaper ReporterSports Writer
Average salary$49,143$36,041
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $75,000Between $25,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between newspaper reporter and sports writer education

There are a few differences between a newspaper reporter and a sports writer in terms of educational background:

Newspaper ReporterSports Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Newspaper reporter vs sports writer demographics

Here are the differences between newspaper reporters' and sports writers' demographics:

Newspaper ReporterSports Writer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.7% Female, 56.3%Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 8.8% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between newspaper reporter and sports writer duties and responsibilities

Newspaper reporter example responsibilities.

  • Create a Facebook page and update statuses regularly to promote the publication.
  • Use NewsEditPro and InDesign software to create attractive news pages nightly prior to deadline.
  • Interview persons of interest, organize event calendars, write regular articles, provide consistent photography, and help paraphrase stock compilations
  • Assist with some editorial functions including final editing of some stories.
  • Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
  • Report from red-carpet events, including: MTV

Sports writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and encourage the Student/Staff in completion of tasks that are present.
  • Achieve worldwide coverage with one particular article criticizing racism in soccer.
  • Manage athletic contest statistics using various programs including Dakstats and other software.
  • Maintain social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and twitterconduct interviews with sourcesWrote local sports stories and take photographs
  • Produce content for multiple MLB and NFL stand-alone publications and special sections.
  • Assist with writing blogs for former Exitos939.com, tweets, facebook, Instagram posts on a daily/weekly basis.
  • Show more

Newspaper reporter vs sports writer skills

Common newspaper reporter skills
  • News Articles, 14%
  • Feature Stories, 13%
  • Community Events, 6%
  • Indesign, 5%
  • Local Events, 5%
  • Conduct Interviews, 5%
Common sports writer skills
  • SEO, 9%
  • Game Coverage, 9%
  • Feature Stories, 7%
  • Twitter, 5%
  • Soccer, 5%
  • News Stories, 4%

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