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Reporter vs correspondent

The differences between reporters and correspondents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a reporter and a correspondent. Additionally, a correspondent has an average salary of $82,217, which is higher than the $46,667 average annual salary of a reporter.

The top three skills for a reporter include news stories, digital marketing and facebook. The most important skills for a correspondent are news stories, news coverage, and feature stories.

Reporter vs correspondent overview

ReporterCorrespondent
Yearly salary$46,667$82,217
Hourly rate$22.44$39.53
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs11,1792,835
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a reporter do?

In journalism, a reporter is responsible for relaying truthful and reliable information to the public audience through various mediums such as print and media. A reporter must ensure to gather necessary and factual data that are supported by interviews and comments of those involved, remain unbiased in all aspects, produce a concise and comprehensive informational material within an allotted time, and efficiently coordinate with every staff. Furthermore, a reporter must remain professional at all times and adhere to the policies and regulations set by the company or network.

What does a correspondent do?

A Correspondent is the backbone of every news agency today. It is through the correspondent experts write the news of a particular topic. Through Correspondents, a news agency can get an in-depth report of happenings and events which may not be possible through ordinary reporters. Correspondents are expected to have versatility and command on a particular topic. They are resourceful in finding newsworthy articles and getting the necessary interviews and data for a well-balanced informative report.

Reporter vs correspondent salary

Reporters and correspondents have different pay scales, as shown below.

ReporterCorrespondent
Average salary$46,667$82,217
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $50,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyCitiAmerican Broadcasting Company
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between reporter and correspondent education

There are a few differences between a reporter and a correspondent in terms of educational background:

ReporterCorrespondent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Reporter vs correspondent demographics

Here are the differences between reporters' and correspondents' demographics:

ReporterCorrespondent
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 45.0% Female, 55.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between reporter and correspondent duties and responsibilities

Reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Edit and revise press releases and submissions; proofread large amount of copy.
  • Use social media (i.e Twitter, Facebook) to relay 'trouble-spots' to local drivers.
  • Cover NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR and general sports news events for as Dallas-based free-lance reporter.
  • Report and write for metro, arts, lifestyle, real estate, and regional sections of major daily newspaper.
  • Cover local government, environmental issues and write features in addition to photography and pagination for twice-weekly newspaper.
  • Show more

Correspondent example responsibilities.

  • Lead reporting in Mongolia, representing AFP's regional headquarters in Beijing.
  • Manage constituent relations regarding financial services, housing, budget, judiciary, homeland security, and government oversight issues.
  • Develop Facebook strategy, execute launch and manage content.
  • Handle education, foreign affairs, judiciary and natural resources issues; assist with appropriations requests.
  • Process FHA, VA and correspondent disclosures.
  • Gain knowledge of interviewing, photography, and newsworthiness.
  • Show more

Reporter vs correspondent skills

Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%
Common correspondent skills
  • News Stories, 17%
  • News Coverage, 11%
  • Feature Stories, 7%
  • Instagram, 6%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 4%

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