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Reporter vs news editor

The differences between reporters and news 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 reporter, becoming a news editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a news editor has an average salary of $53,822, 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 news editor are news stories, news coverage, and instagram.

Reporter vs news editor overview

ReporterNews Editor
Yearly salary$46,667$53,822
Hourly rate$22.44$25.88
Growth rate-10%-5%
Number of jobs11,17912,484
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4044
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 editor do?

A News Editor reviews and changes the content of a publication provided by writers and other contributors. They generally work for newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Reporter vs news editor salary

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

ReporterNews Editor
Average salary$46,667$53,822
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $35,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyCitiApple
Best paying industryMediaProfessional

Differences between reporter and news editor education

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

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

Reporter vs news editor demographics

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

ReporterNews Editor
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between reporter and news editor 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 editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the day-to-day production of the Olympics section as needed.
  • Manage online web CMS, updating metadata, optimizing SEO, editing HTML/CSS, and directing UX/UI updates.
  • Manage content on various CMS systems, including HTML coding and training numerous staff members on various CMS systems.
  • Maintain editorial calendar, manage freelance budget and coordinate with photo editor and designers to help ensure optimal presentation of stories.
  • Cover NFL playoffs and NCAA tournament games.
  • Cover UConn s 2014 NCAA tournament championship run on site.
  • Show more

Reporter vs news editor skills

Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%
Common news editor skills
  • News Stories, 10%
  • News Coverage, 8%
  • Instagram, 8%
  • Twitter, 7%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Facebook, 7%

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