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Sports journalist vs newspaper reporter

The differences between sports journalists and newspaper 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 sports journalist and a newspaper reporter. Additionally, a sports journalist has an average salary of $61,682, which is higher than the $49,143 average annual salary of a newspaper reporter.

The top three skills for a sports journalist include twitter, facebook and news stories. The most important skills for a newspaper reporter are news articles, feature stories, and community events.

Sports journalist vs newspaper reporter overview

Sports JournalistNewspaper Reporter
Yearly salary$61,682$49,143
Hourly rate$29.65$23.63
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs2,0222,329
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Sports journalist vs newspaper reporter salary

Sports journalists and newspaper reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sports JournalistNewspaper Reporter
Average salary$61,682$49,143
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $100,000Between $31,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sports journalist and newspaper reporter education

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

Sports JournalistNewspaper Reporter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Sports journalist vs newspaper reporter demographics

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

Sports JournalistNewspaper Reporter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 79.1% Female, 20.9%Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between sports journalist and newspaper reporter duties and responsibilities

Sports journalist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve worldwide coverage with one particular article criticizing racism in soccer.
  • Commentate expert analysis on college gymnastics and experience working live on ESPN
  • Construct and edit web-published multimedia pieces that are featured on the university's athletic programs.
  • Commentate expert analysis on college gymnastics and experience working live on ESPN

Newspaper reporter example responsibilities.

  • Create a Facebook page and update statuses regularly to promote the publication.
  • Use NewsEditPro and InDesign software to create attractive news pages nightly prior to deadline.
  • Interview persons of interest, organize event calendars, write regular articles, provide consistent photography, and help paraphrase stock compilations
  • Assist with some editorial functions including final editing of some stories.
  • Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
  • Report from red-carpet events, including: MTV

Sports journalist vs newspaper reporter skills

Common sports journalist skills
  • Twitter, 15%
  • Facebook, 15%
  • News Stories, 14%
  • Sports Stories, 10%
  • Local Sports, 6%
  • Sports Events, 4%
Common newspaper reporter skills
  • News Articles, 14%
  • Feature Stories, 13%
  • Community Events, 6%
  • Indesign, 5%
  • Local Events, 5%
  • Conduct Interviews, 5%

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