How To Become A News Writer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a news writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Expert

Aaron Moore Ph.D.

News writers are responsible for creating written materials for newspapers, online news websites, and other media outlets. Their main goals are to produce high-quality and accurate content about current events. As such, their job usually requires them to travel to different locations, pursue leads, find fact sources, conduct interviews, and research their piece.

When you are a news writer, you will typically have a pen and notebook with you at all times. Other common tools for this trade include a handheld recorder, a camera, and a laptop to conduct research or write stories on the go.

When hiring a news writer, most employers prefer candidates with a degree in journalism, which is usually the best background to have for this line of work. However, graduates of communications or English degrees may also qualify. In terms of work experience, smaller companies may not require it, but larger companies definitely do to ensure credibility.

A news writer can make around $48,000 per year, on average. Employers also usually provide allowances for work-related travel expenses.

What general advice would you give to a News Writer?

Aaron Moore Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Journalism; Director of Internship Program, Rider University

The journalism field has changed dramatically - and not really for the best. With that said, those beginning in the area need to have a strong social media presence. They need to be able to tell editors they can attract eyeballs to any of their work or content. Before beginners start looking for a journalism job, cultivate a social media presence.

ScoreNews WriterUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $45,129

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.3

Growth Rate -10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.29%

Asian 9.53%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 12.28%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.32%

Gender

female 54.90%

male 45.10%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress Level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

2.1

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a news writer

Explore news writer education requirements

Most common news writer degrees

Bachelor's

81.4 %

Master's

8.7 %

Associate

5.4 %

Start to develop specific news writer skills

Skills	Percentages
News Articles	17.22%
ABC	7.50%
SEO	5.77%
Edit Video	5.72%
Control Room	4.64%

Complete relevant news writer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New news writers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a news writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real news writer resumes.

Research news writer duties and responsibilities

Manage transcription and queuing of b-roll tapes/interviews for live and pre-record broadcasts.
Manage the Instagram account, which mean publishing and keeping up to date with the articles.
Anchor news updates for top-rate, personality driven FM morning show.
Conduct interviews and create professional visuals with upcoming model and entertainers for lifestyle magazine publication.

Prepare your news writer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your news writer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a news writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable News Writer Resume templates

Build a professional News Writer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your News Writer resume.

Apply for news writer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a news writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do news writers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

News Writer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Pros

Every day was different, you meet a lot of new people, the events covered could be very exciting

Cons

Physically demanding, low pay and part time positions available to those just starting out, no health insurance, competitive, pressure to be available on call despite terms of contract

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

I learned to read and write at an early age and have avidly pursued it since. Beside school publications and assignments, I've sought out numerous outlets for my love of writing, from features and sports writer for my local weekly news paper, to AP stringer for election coverage, to a Pohlad family internship at one of southeastern Minnesota's most respected dailies.

Cons

Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019

Pros

Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.

Cons

Could be paid more. Slow to get started very competitive.

What is a news writer and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a News Writer?

News Writer career paths

Key steps to become a news writer

Explore news writer education requirements

Most common news writer degrees

Start to develop specific news writer skills

Complete relevant news writer training and internships

Research news writer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your news writer resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable News Writer Resume templates

Apply for news writer jobs

How Did You Land Your First News Writer Job

Average news writer salary

How do news writers rate their job?

News Writer reviews

News Writer jobs by state