Reporter

What is this job like?		Back to Top

Reporters gather information and write news stories. These stories appear in newspapers and magazines. Some reporters appear on television and radio. To get information, reporters look at documents. They observe the scene. They interview people.

Reporters write about events. These include things such as an accident, a rally, or a company going out of business.

Radio and television reporters often report "live" from the scene.

News correspondents work in large U.S. cities. Some report from foreign cities. They write about events in the city in which they work.

Reporters must meet deadlines. Some work in private offices. Others work in large rooms with other reporters. Television and radio reporters encounter curious onlookers, police, or other emergency workers.

Reporters work long hours. They might work odd schedules. They may have to travel. At morning newspapers, reporters might work from late afternoon until midnight. At evening or afternoon papers, they may work from early morning until afternoon. Radio and television reporters work day or evening shifts. Magazine reporters generally work during the day. Reporters may have to work extra hours to meet deadlines. They may have to change their work hours to follow a story.

How do you get ready?		Back to Top

A bachelor's degree in journalism is preferred. Some employers hire graduates with other majors. Working at school newspapers or broadcasting stations is good experience. Internships with news organizations also help when seeking a job as a reporter.

Reporters must write clearly and effectively. They need word processing, computer graphics, and desktop publishing skills. Speaking a second language is necessary for some jobs.

In high school, good courses include English, journalism, and social studies. Valuable courses in college include speech, computer science, and English, with an emphasis on writing.

How much does this job pay?		Back to Top

The middle half of reporters and correspondents earned between $24,370 and $51,700 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $19,180. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $73,880 a year.

How many jobs are there?		Back to Top

News analysts, reporters, and correspondents held about 67,000 jobs in 2006. About 59 percent worked for newspaper, magazine, book, and directory publishers. Another 23 percent worked in radio and television broadcasting. About 11 percent of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents were self-employed.

What about the future?		Back to Top

Employment of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents is not expected to change much at all through 2016. Some job openings will occur in newer media areas, such as magazines and newspapers on the Internet. It is difficult to get a job at newspapers and broadcast stations in large cities. The best opportunities for a first job are with small town and suburban newspapers.

Are there other jobs like this?		Back to Top

• Disc Jockeys
• Editors
• Interpreters and translators
• Public relations specialists
• Writers

Where can you find more information?		Back to Top

More BLS information about news analysts, reporters, and correspondents can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

Last Modified Date: April 29, 2008