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The differences between reporters and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, 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 police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.
| Reporter | Police Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $46,667 | $52,638 |
| Hourly rate | $22.44 | $25.31 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 11,179 | 116,287 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
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.
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Reporters and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Reporter | Police Officer | |
| Average salary | $46,667 | $52,638 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $73,000 | Between $38,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Citi | Icma-rc |
| Best paying industry | Media | Government |
There are a few differences between a reporter and a police officer in terms of educational background:
| Reporter | Police Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Journalism | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between reporters' and police officers' demographics:
| Reporter | Police Officer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 7% |