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Reporter vs sports reporter

The differences between reporters and sports reporters 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 sports reporter. Additionally, a sports reporter has an average salary of $96,119, 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 sports reporter are twitter, facebook, and feature stories.

Reporter vs sports reporter overview

ReporterSports Reporter
Yearly salary$46,667$96,119
Hourly rate$22.44$46.21
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs11,1794,296
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 87%
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 sports reporter do?

Sports Reporters gather appropriate information for writing and sharing sports news. They attend sporting events and interview sports personalities, such as athletes and coaches.

Reporter vs sports reporter salary

Reporters and sports reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

ReporterSports Reporter
Average salary$46,667$96,119
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $67,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyCiti-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between reporter and sports reporter education

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

ReporterSports Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 87%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Reporter vs sports reporter demographics

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

ReporterSports Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 8.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between reporter and sports reporter 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

Sports reporter example responsibilities.

  • Manage the day-to-day production of the Olympics section as needed.
  • Assist with play-by-play commentary for local high school sports including: football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and basketball.
  • Cover games for the men's ice hockey and basketball teams, as well as, the women's soccer team.
  • Earn repeated commendations for excellence in writing, reporting, photojournalism and infographics.
  • Produce yearly 30-minute football shows for state championship teams.
  • Host of Voces del Deporte & Almuerzo Deportivo daily radio programs on ESPN Deportes Miami.
  • Show more

Reporter vs sports reporter skills

Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%
Common sports reporter skills
  • Twitter, 7%
  • Facebook, 7%
  • Feature Stories, 6%
  • Sports Coverage, 6%
  • Sports Stories, 6%
  • News Stories, 5%

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