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Research writer vs news reporter

The differences between research writers and news 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 research writer and a news reporter. Additionally, a research writer has an average salary of $50,741, which is higher than the $41,481 average annual salary of a news reporter.

The top three skills for a research writer include research topics, press releases and editorials. The most important skills for a news reporter are digital marketing, local community, and facebook.

Research writer vs news reporter overview

Research WriterNews Reporter
Yearly salary$50,741$41,481
Hourly rate$24.39$19.94
Growth rate6%-10%
Number of jobs60,59511,609
Job satisfaction4.54
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4640
Years of experience22

What does a research writer do?

Research writers are professionals who conduct extensive research by taking complex information and then explaining it in lay terminology. These writers are required to conduct extensive research on various topics based on the requests of their clients to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO). They must work with a wide variety of clients who specialize in web content to complete strategic research and content creation projects. Research writers must also manage research projects for companies, local and overseas.

What does a news reporter do?

News Reporters collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events through interview, investigation, or observation. They carry cameras and take photos and video footage of objects or places of potential significance.

Research writer vs news reporter salary

Research writers and news reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research WriterNews Reporter
Average salary$50,741$41,481
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $80,000Between $26,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityBrookline, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew York
Best paying companySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalThe Monitor Group
Best paying industryNon ProfitsMedia

Differences between research writer and news reporter education

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

Research WriterNews Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Research writer vs news reporter demographics

Here are the differences between research writers' and news reporters' demographics:

Research WriterNews Reporter
Average age4640
Gender ratioMale, 41.4% Female, 58.6%Male, 45.0% Female, 55.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between research writer and news reporter duties and responsibilities

Research writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
  • Upload content and photos on Wordpress and create SEO meta descriptions.
  • Recognize by audience as thought leader in NFL coverage and commentary.
  • Assist the editor-in-chief with expanding the team of contributing writers to attract readers.
  • Proofread and spell check written content, review articles, videos, and books regarding the given topic.
  • Research various topics base on clients requests in order to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO).
  • Show more

News reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Conduct interviews, edit clips and stories, and announce stories/headlines on air.
  • Work with editors to deliver content in the appropriate style with an eye for SEO.
  • Operate digital recording equipment to film b-roll footage, interviews, and on camera reporting.
  • Drive online traffic through social networking, weaving SEO strategy into story copy, and frequent blogging.
  • Work independently gathering news stories, capturing audio sound clips for air, and writing news stories.
  • Show more

Research writer vs news reporter skills

Common research writer skills
  • Research Topics, 15%
  • Press Releases, 13%
  • Editorials, 8%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • Conduct Research, 6%
  • Oral Histories, 4%
Common news reporter skills
  • Digital Marketing, 13%
  • Local Community, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 5%
  • Instagram, 4%

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