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Newspaper writer vs freelance reporter

The differences between newspaper writers and freelance 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 newspaper writer and a freelance reporter. Additionally, a freelance reporter has an average salary of $59,035, which is higher than the $53,083 average annual salary of a newspaper writer.

The top three skills for a newspaper writer include adobe indesign, editorials and conduct interviews. The most important skills for a freelance reporter are photography, feature stories, and conduct interviews.

Newspaper writer vs freelance reporter overview

Newspaper WriterFreelance Reporter
Yearly salary$53,083$59,035
Hourly rate$25.52$28.38
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs10,5123,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Newspaper writer vs freelance reporter salary

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

Newspaper WriterFreelance Reporter
Average salary$53,083$59,035
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $34,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between newspaper writer and freelance reporter education

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

Newspaper WriterFreelance Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorCommunicationJournalism
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Newspaper writer vs freelance reporter demographics

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

Newspaper WriterFreelance Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.6% Female, 56.4%Male, 43.4% Female, 56.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% 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, 9.5% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between newspaper writer and freelance reporter duties and responsibilities

Newspaper writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
  • Proofread all columns before being publish, train new employees, write opinion and news columns.
  • Create and envision editorials for the publication.
  • Coordinate and conduct interviews with article subjects, and maintain constant communication with editor-in-chief.
  • Create story and editorial ideas to give to writers, to help generate interest and ensure circulation of the paper.
  • Coordinate and conduct interviews with article subjects, and maintain constant communication with editor-in-chief.

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

Newspaper writer vs freelance reporter skills

Common newspaper writer skills
  • Adobe Indesign, 15%
  • Editorials, 15%
  • Conduct Interviews, 15%
  • News Articles, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Writing Articles, 9%
Common freelance reporter skills
  • Photography, 16%
  • Feature Stories, 14%
  • Conduct Interviews, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
  • Local Events, 7%
  • News Articles, 5%

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