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Reporter vs news anchor

The differences between reporters and news anchors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a reporter, becoming a news anchor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a reporter has an average salary of $46,667, which is higher than the $43,198 average annual salary of a news anchor.

The top three skills for a reporter include news stories, digital marketing and facebook. The most important skills for a news anchor are news content, facebook, and twitter.

Reporter vs news anchor overview

ReporterNews Anchor
Yearly salary$46,667$43,198
Hourly rate$22.44$20.77
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs11,1793,607
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4040
Years of experience24

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 news anchor do?

A news anchor presents and reports the news to the public, usually through television news broadcast or radio. They must keep the people informed of the current events, locally or internationally. They typically coordinate with directors and staff to prepare for broadcast, conduct research, introduce news correspondence, ask questions, utilize or revise scripts, and deliver news articulately and professionally. They may also share insights and commentary, should the segment require. Furthermore, a news anchor must adhere to the station's policies and regulations, including the moral codes of journalism.

Reporter vs news anchor salary

Reporters and news anchors have different pay scales, as shown below.

ReporterNews Anchor
Average salary$46,667$43,198
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $31,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyCiti-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between reporter and news anchor education

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

ReporterNews Anchor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Reporter vs news anchor demographics

Here are the differences between reporters' and news anchors' demographics:

ReporterNews Anchor
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3%
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, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between reporter and news anchor 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

News anchor example responsibilities.

  • Operate AP NEWSCENTER/ENPS and manage CNN feed services.
  • Produce Emmy award-winning features, web content, and weekly consumer blog.
  • Cover a variety of NFL, NCAA and high school events.
  • Co-Launch station Facebook brand, promote and aid expansion to 80K followers.
  • Anchor, write and produce morning newscast for Huntsville's ABC affiliate.
  • Perform live shots, on-air play-by-play, write new script and provide analysis.
  • Show more

Reporter vs news anchor skills

Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%
Common news anchor skills
  • News Content, 9%
  • Facebook, 8%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Social Media Sites, 6%
  • News Coverage, 5%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 5%

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