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Reporter vs producer

The differences between reporters and producers 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 producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a producer has an average salary of $72,202, 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 producer are work ethic, video production, and client relationships.

Reporter vs producer overview

ReporterProducer
Yearly salary$46,667$72,202
Hourly rate$22.44$34.71
Growth rate-10%8%
Number of jobs11,17910,610
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4040
Years of experience212

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 producer do?

A producer is an individual who is responsible for providing infrastructure, resources, and logistics in making a movie, television show, or stage production. Producers hire production staff such as director, crew, and sometimes actors to coordinate their activities throughout the production process. They support the creative team by conducting meetings to discuss the production's progress and ensure adherence to deadlines. Producers also travel often either to film on location for a movie or to tour with a theatre production.

Reporter vs producer salary

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

ReporterProducer
Average salary$46,667$72,202
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $43,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNevada
Best paying companyCitiMeta
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between reporter and producer education

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

ReporterProducer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorJournalismCommunication
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard University

Reporter vs producer demographics

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

ReporterProducer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%
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, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%14%

Differences between reporter and producer 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

Producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and augment existing budget with EP.
  • Manage production of a Sony HD motion graphics internal sales video.
  • Manage all union matters including, IASTE, DGA and AFTRA.
  • Prospect and generate new business through telemarketing leads, referrals, networking and cold leads.
  • Lead the creation of key titles including high profile X360 launch title and new NFL brand IP.
  • Manage and guide guest bloggers through the editing process, copy edit blogs and produce content in HTML.
  • Show more

Reporter vs producer skills

Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%
Common producer skills
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Cross-Selling, 6%
  • News Stories, 4%

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