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The differences between research writers and 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 reporter. Additionally, a research writer has an average salary of $50,741, which is higher than the $46,667 average annual salary of a reporter.
The top three skills for a research writer include research topics, press releases and editorials. The most important skills for a reporter are news stories, digital marketing, and facebook.
| Research Writer | Reporter | |
| Yearly salary | $50,741 | $46,667 |
| Hourly rate | $24.39 | $22.44 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -10% |
| Number of jobs | 60,595 | 11,179 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Research writers and reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Writer | Reporter | |
| Average salary | $50,741 | $46,667 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $80,000 | Between $29,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Media |
There are a few differences between a research writer and a reporter in terms of educational background:
| Research Writer | Reporter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | English | Journalism |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between research writers' and reporters' demographics:
| Research Writer | Reporter | |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 10% |