All About Reporters and Correspondents

Occupation Description Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, news magazine, radio, or television.

Reporter or Correspondent Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
• Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
• Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
• Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
• Participate in community events, make public appearances, or conduct community service.
• Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.

Reporter or Correspondent Skills

Reporters and Correspondents state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Related Job Titles

• Cub Reporter
• Motion Picture Critic
• Information Writer
• Book Critic
• Newspaper Columnist

Is There Job Demand for Reporters and Correspondents?

In the United States, there were 44,700 jobs for Reporters and Correspondents in 2016.

Reporter or Correspondent jobs are decreasing by a rate of -10%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -4,500 jobs for Reporters and Correspondents by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,700 positions for Reporter or Correspondent per year.

The states with the most job growth for Reporters and Correspondents are District of Columbia, California, and Virginia.

Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Florida. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Reporter or Correspondent Average Salary

Reporters and Correspondents Make between $23,490 and $100,930 a year. A Reporter or Correspondent median salary is $41,260.

How much do Reporters and Correspondents make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$100,550
New York	$81,930
California	$67,820
Arizona	$61,400
New Jersey	$61,180
Maryland	$60,170
Louisiana	$57,990
Colorado	$55,930
Washington	$53,980
Florida	$53,810
Illinois	$53,610
Massachusetts	$53,140
Minnesota	$51,770
Georgia	$51,140
Delaware	$50,580
Kentucky	$50,190
Utah	$50,120
Virginia	$49,530
New Mexico	$49,230
Oregon	$48,960
Alaska	$48,230
Nevada	$47,900
Kansas	$47,180
Michigan	$47,110
Indiana	$46,830
South Carolina	$46,660
Texas	$45,910
Missouri	$45,240
Connecticut	$45,130
New Hampshire	$44,900
North Dakota	$43,740
Hawaii	$43,250
Maine	$42,650
Ohio	$42,050
North Carolina	$41,660
Pennsylvania	$39,600
Nebraska	$39,510
Vermont	$38,890
Oklahoma	$38,300
West Virginia	$38,260
Alabama	$37,770
Tennessee	$37,290
Mississippi	$34,530
Idaho	$34,390
Wisconsin	$34,180
Iowa	$32,650
Arkansas	$32,620
South Dakota	$32,390
Wyoming	$30,900
Montana	$29,270

Tools & Technologies Used by Reporters and Correspondents

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Reporters and Correspondents may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Access
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Microsoft Word
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Microsoft Excel

Where Reporters and Correspondents Work

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Reporter or Correspondent may also be interested in:

• Art Directors

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons