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Job outlook for reporters in the United States
Reporter job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected reporter job growth rate is -10% from 2018-2028.
About -5,100 new jobs for reporters are projected over the next decade.
Reporter salaries have increased 16% for reporters in the last 5 years.
There are over 21,161 reporters currently employed in the United States.
There are 11,179 active reporter job openings in the US.
The average reporter salary is $46,667.
Are reporter jobs in demand?
Reporter job and salary trends over time
Reporter jobs over time
Reporter job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,161 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 22,515 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 23,879 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,093 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 22,030 | 0.01% |
Average reporter salary over time
Reporter salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,667 | $22.44 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $45,084 | $21.67 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $43,790 | $21.05 | +4.8% |
| 2022 | $41,784 | $20.09 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $40,139 | $19.30 | +4.0% |
Reporter jobs by state
Most common states for reporters
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 201 | 29% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 336 | 6% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 30 | 5% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 354 | 4% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 288 | 4% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 172 | 4% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 31 | 4% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 22 | 4% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 674 | 3% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 186 | 3% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 53 | 3% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 21 | 3% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 262 | 2% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 207 | 2% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 166 | 2% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 66 | 2% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 37 | 2% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 29 | 2% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 21 | 2% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 19 | 2% |
Most common cities for reporters
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hagerstown | 2 | 5% | $52,919 |
| 2 | Southfield | 2 | 3% | $51,289 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | 1 | 2% | $52,302 |
| 4 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $60,032 |
| 5 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $43,028 |
| 6 | Birmingham | 2 | 1% | $41,469 |
| 7 | Deerfield Beach | 1 | 1% | $45,066 |
| 8 | Edison | 1 | 1% | $57,629 |
| 9 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $42,009 |
| 10 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $45,499 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $44,585 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 4 | 0% | $48,251 |
| 13 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $45,226 |
| 14 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $47,417 |
| 15 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $30,372 |
| 16 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $47,798 |
| 17 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $53,203 |
| 18 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $36,812 |
| 19 | Glendale | 1 | 0% | $44,578 |
Reporter job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of reporter experts
California State University - Sacramento
The University of Findlay
Western Kentucky University
Georgia State University
Montclair State University
New Mexico State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Our Lady of the Lake University
American University
Butler University
University of Oregon
Washington and Lee University
Towson University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Belmont University
Miami University
University of Georgia
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Viola Ardeni
Assistant Professor & Italian Language Area HeadCalifornia State University - Sacramento
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Viola Ardeni: Negotiate your job offer, even where your position is represented by a labor union (you may negotiate other perks and benefits). I would also recommend considering extremely carefully whether a higher degree in the field (master's or PhD) would enhance your options for a higher salary. The mental, emotional, and financial cost of graduate studies may not make it worth it, if the primary objective is earning more money.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Amy Rogan: Many think that journalism is dying when in actuality is evolving. There are so many media sites out there that are not actual journalism and yet, our society needs real journalism now more than ever. Misinformation and disinformation spread so quickly, it contaminates the media landscape. But we need journalists willing to build their reputation and their audience so that trained professional journalists drown out the fiction or infotainment.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amy Rogan: Journalists do a number of things and no two days look alike. Journalists need to have sound, solid news judgement and know their audience and what their audience needs to know. They pitch stories to their editors, producers, or managers, then they research their story topic, find the appropriate interviews and set those up. Once they complete the interviews and gather all their research they then have to craft a story that captures the readers’ or viewers’ attention and serves the community. Typically, that is just one day of work unless you’re working on a special project. Multimedia skills are in high demand because journalists are on so many platforms these days. You need to know how to write for print, digital, and broadcast. And, if you know how to shoot and edit video as well as write, your name goes to the top of the list.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Professor Mac McKerral: Producing quality journalism is not easy. It’s hard work and requires a variety of skills, all of which contribute to quality journalism. The writing, reporting and editing must all be in balance and strong. Anyone can be a journalist these days. But not everyone should. Continue to learn on the job. Find a good mentor/editor and milk that individual for everything he or she can offer. If you want to write about yourself rather than others, seek a different career. Your first job might not be your ideal job, but it will be the ticket to your ideal job. Approach every assignment, regardless of how menial, as if it is the most important story ever. You cannot pick and choose what you want to do well. Anything you report will impact someone. Always remember that. Develop a visceral hate for mistakes. Know what your ethical line in the sand is before you are faced with an ethical conundrum. Understanding where you stand before making ethical decisions will enhance your chances of making the right choice.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Mac McKerral: Fact checking. Ethical use of AI. Getting back to dealing with sources face-to-face. Using literary writing devices to tell great stories.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Professor Mac McKerral: Produce quality work for student publications while in school. Do multiple internships. Hold onto and use what you are taught in school. Be capable of doing anything needed: A/V news gathering and editing; visual work; editing; basic design. Be self-motivated and take initiative. Show a wiliness to learn.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The best way is to show you already have experience, and the employer won’t need to train you. An applicant who arrives ready to hit the ground running stands a better chance of getting the job and the top salary over someone who has never been published, taken a photo, put together a video story or – most important! – proved they can meet a deadline under pressure.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The need for people who can tell accurate, engrossing stories in a variety of media is increasing. That means being able to write concisely, speak with authority and take photos/video/sound that engage an audience. Don’t expect to have a camera crew or editor at your elbow. The more proficient you can be in mastering those tasks, the more valuable you will be.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: Two things: 1/ Don’t wait to graduate to lay the foundation for your career. Work in the student media. Join organizations that connect you to professionals in your area (press clubs, student chapters of professional organizations). These connections often lead to internships, part-time jobs and freelance opportunities. Classroom learning is key to getting the fundamentals down, but on-the-job experience is priceless. Along with establishing a network, it will provide you with published/broadcast work you can show to future employers. 2/ Do not expect to graduate and start working at The New York Times. It takes years of experience to break into the major media organizations. Start small: Look for opportunities in second- and third-tier media markets (think suburban/rural, not urban). Even at places like CNN, get your foot in the door as a researcher, fact checker or other entry level position and prove yourself. That’s how people get promoted.
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin
Associate Professor, Multimedia JournalismMontclair State University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: In the media industry, making substantial income right from the start can be particularly challenging. However, by cultivating a strong network, seeking guidance from mentors and sources, and securing top internships, you can enhance your prospects of landing a position at a solid media outlet, where earning potential may be greater. I believe strongly in having several side hustles at all times. By maintaining side hustles, it can provide supplementary income and also be a way to nurture your passion if your main gig is not doing it for you. For early career professionals, I advocate prioritizing skill development and pursuing your passions, rather than fixating solely on monetary gain. Instead of focusing on immediate financial rewards, concentrate on gaining valuable experience and recognition for your work. While this may require patience, it ultimately lays a solid foundation for long-term success. In the grand scheme of things, prioritizing experience and long-term growth over immediate financial gain is solid advice when trying to build a sustainable career in the media industry.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: In the area of multimedia storytelling, versatility is paramount. Much like a Swiss Army knife, having a diverse skill set is invaluable. While it's beneficial to cultivate expertise in a specific area, especially as you progress in your career, starting out often calls for a broader approach. Exploring a range of skills and interests allows you to discover your true passion before committing wholeheartedly. Once you've identified your passion, devote yourself to it wholeheartedly and strive to become an expert. However, don't overlook the importance of putting in the time to develop those skills. Whatever path you choose, continually seek out innovative ways to improve and refine your craft. Embrace creativity and experimentation, always pushing yourself to do better and explore new horizons.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: The most valuable advice I could offer to someone embarking on a career in journalism and multimedia storytelling is to immerse yourself in a topic that truly captivates you and then pursue it relentlessly. Strive to become not just proficient, but truly passionate and knowledgeable about your chosen subject matter. By doing so, you'll naturally become somewhat of an expert in the field. I firmly believe in the importance of dedicating significant time and effort to your craft. As Malcolm Gladwell famously suggests, mastery often requires putting in around 10,000 hours of practice. So, start chipping away at that goal, knowing that with perseverance and dedication, great things are bound to happen. In addition to honing your expertise, focus on cultivating a wide network of sources. These individuals can provide you with story ideas, access to compelling characters, and unique opportunities. By building strong relationships within your community, you'll find yourself plugged into a network that can offer both exposure and new avenues for growth. But also cultivate a network of media professionals who do the kind of work that you aspire to do.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Darren Phillips M.A.: Truth and accuracy must take center stage moving forward as media distrust and just the rise of misinformation and outright propaganda continue to drive wedges and sow discord in the world. A strong, almost fanatical commitment to journalistic ethics should be foundational to anyone starting out in a media career — especially news reporting. This requires one to pay hawk-like attention to detail. Spell names correctly, get dates right, quote people accurately 100% of the time, and know enough about the topic at hand to include accurate and relevant context every time. No exceptions. Beyond that, new journalists will need to be open-minded and flexible. The media market is expanding every day, but the traditional career path of 20-30 years ago, or even 5-10 years ago, has completely changed. This has everything to do with technological innovation. Journalists must embrace technological change including changing business models. Be open to new ways of communicating and telling stories. Try to cut your teeth in a staff job for the first few years, but consider your long-term viability and influence as a media professional may well require you to strike out on your own. Why not freelance fulltime or start your own media company? Consider taking courses in small business management, develop your entrepreneurial instincts, be willing to take some risks and think horizontally. Career success does not necessarily equal ladder-climbing in this day and age. Finally, lean into social media outlets as both marketing tools and storytelling platforms in and of themselves. And learn everything you can about generative AI. For better or worse, it’s here to stay, and the media industry will demand people with the skills to use it responsibly and effectively.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Darren Phillips M.A.: First and foremost, I would advise journalists starting out to be curious and to read, read, and read some more. The best storytellers are voracious consumers of information — credible information — and they’re infinitely curious about world events, politics, history, and the like. Knowledge is power. It’s also marketability. Be an expert, or at least know enough about the wider world to be able to bring relevant context and nuance to your work. This requires you to read. For journalism students still in school, this also means taking elective courses in government and economics, geography, and other subjects outside your major that will help you make greater sense of complex topics. Reading and just a life-long commitment to learning are so important.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Darren Phillips M.A.: Maximizing salary potential as a media professional starts with everything I’ve already mentioned. Journalists and even PR and advertising professionals must be extremely well informed on a broad range of topics. This starts with reading and just being a voracious media consumer. This also requires one to think critically, to consume media from disparate sources, to not shy away from contrarian viewpoints, and to work hard and in good faith to synthesize information responsibly. This ties in with maintaining strict allegiance to industry best practices including media ethics. Reputation is everything. Make sure your employers, prospective employers, and clients all understand and appreciate your professional integrity and just your commitment to truth and accuracy. Moreover, embrace change, lean into technological change, and become a bit of a techno geek. Work hard making contacts and building a professional network. Work hard, generally. Hard work goes a long way in any vocation. Beyond that, attend industry conferences, pay close attention to your online presence, curate your social media profiles carefully and put some real time and thought into things like your LinkedIn profile and online portfolio. Lastly, don’t be put off by rejection. Rejection comes with the territory in any competitive career field. Believe in yourself, stay positive, stay open minded, learn all you can, read like crazy, keep grinding, and success will follow eventually.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Embarking on a career in news television broadcasting is a thrilling journey, filled with opportunities and challenges that will push you to grow and excel. The students must develop strong writing skills. I'd appreciate it if you could practice writing scripts for various news stories to hone your skills in delivering information effectively to your audience. They also need to focus on building a diverse demo reel. Showcase your versatility by gaining experience in different areas of broadcasting, such as reporting, anchoring, producing, and editing. And watch the news to stay informed. Stay updated on current events and what is going on in your community. Finally, practice your on-air presence. Practice in front of a camera and ask for feedback from mentors or peers. Work on your delivery, tone, and body language to build confidence and credibility on camera. One last thing, it's crucial to develop a thick skin. Journalism can be a demanding and sometimes stressful field. By developing resilience, you can handle criticism, rejection, and pressure with grace and composure, feeling more prepared for the challenges you may face.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Students will need to become more digital and Social Media savvy. As digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences consume news and information, digital and social media proficiency will be increasingly crucial. However, Multimedia Storytelling must be a cornerstone of our industry. Integrating multimedia elements such as video, audio, graphics, and interactive elements will become more prevalent in broadcast journalism. Professionals who can tell compelling stories using a combination of multimedia formats will be in high demand. I always encourage students to enroll in Data Visualization courses. The ability to extract meaningful insights from data and present them visually engagingly will help broadcasters provide deeper insights and context to their stories. We must remember Mobile Journalism (MoJo). Using your mobile devices to capture, edit, and publish news content will become a standard for journalists. Last but not least, journalists must build meaningful connections with audiences through interactive storytelling, live chats, audience polls, and user-generated content will become increasingly important. Broadcasters who can foster active engagement and dialogue with their audience will be able to cultivate loyal viewership and build community around their content.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Let’s be honest. Your chances of becoming a millionaire in this broadcast industry are slim. Most recently graduated students in the news industry would likely move to a middle-of-nowhere market to start their careers. The pay will not be great, but the opportunities to gain valuable experience will be unique. However, there are some tips you should consider. For example, make sure you research the industry standards. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, or industry-specific salary surveys can provide valuable insights into salary ranges for different positions. Also, make sure that you highlight your skills and experience during your interview. Negotiate with confidence. Feel free to negotiate your salary offer. Remember that in addition to your salary, consider negotiating other benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, vacation time, and professional development opportunities. It would be best to stay updated on industry trends impacting the demand for specific skills and expertise. Networking with industry professionals, mentors, and colleagues can provide valuable insights into salary trends, job openings, and potential career advancement opportunities. Of course, you must be willing to relocate. In some cases, being open to relocating to markets with higher demand for broadcast professionals can increase your salary potential.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Ms. Amanda Brown: I'd suggest developing a resilient mindset. Journalism can be tough, often influenced by networking and chance rather than just skill. Don't let criticism discourage you; the industry is vast. Keep pushing forward, and you'll discover your niche where you feel at home.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Amanda Brown: When it comes to boosting your salary, there are several strategies to consider. Start by researching the company to understand their initial pay range. In the realm of TV news, having an agent can be beneficial in negotiating higher salaries, as they advocate on your behalf. If negotiating isn't your strong suit, having someone else handle it for you can be quite helpful. In online journalism, where the job is advertised can impact your pay. For instance, if you're working remotely from Texas but receiving California-level salaries, that's a smart way to potentially earn more.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Ms. Amanda Brown: Changes in how people interact have made strong interview skills even more critical. Initiating with light conversation before tackling tough questions can significantly influence the outcome. Mastering active listening and effectively communicating with diverse individuals while staying neutral are essential. In journalism, the emphasis is on presenting facts objectively, allowing the story to shine without personal bias.
Assistant Amy Eisman
Assistant ProfessorAmerican University
Arts, Entertainment, And Media Management
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Assistant Amy Eisman: One skill is easy: be flexible. The technology is changing at lightning speed. At the moment, it helps to be strong at data journalism and understanding emergent technology, such as AI. Topic areas of interest include climate coverage, health and education. It also helps to be a great team player; the speed of news means you rarely work alone. Overall, make sure you embrace the basics in the field: accuracy, fairness, transparency, independence and accountability. Be a solid writer and an even better editor and producer. No one can predict what is next for technology. Employers therefore will look for people who uphold the values of the past, are enthusiastic about the present and are curious about the future.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Assistant Amy Eisman: As others have said, the career track is a jungle gym, not a ladder. Acquire new skill sets wherever you go, then use them in the next job. And be great at whatever task you take on. Even if you are in an entry-level position, ace it, impress your colleagues, and be the person everyone wants on their team. The field is changing. That is not a secret. Many of the changes are overdue. There is more focus on trauma-informed reporting, for example, and on rethinking how we treat sources. There is more focus on bringing multiple voices into the fold and healthy debates about the role of identity. There is a deep focus, as there should be, on investigative journalism and on keeping citizens informed in a democracy. Be the best at your job. Don't burn bridges behind you.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Assistant Amy Eisman: Too many people are reluctant to ask or negotiate salary. An employer will not rescind an offer if you ask; many expect you will. To get the next job, you have to be great at the one you are in. It also is good to keep potential employers in your corner with occasional updates about your successes.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Joseph Valenzano III: Beginning a career must always come with the understanding that your first job is not your career, and it won’t pay you as much as you might think. Maximizing your potential in this scenario depends on many variables, some of which you cannot control. The ones you can control are the quality of your writing samples, having a record of published work in outlets (including the school paper), the clarity of your resume, and the strength of your interview. It also would be helpful to do homework on the market, the employer, and any data on comparisons you can collect. This can help you calibrate your expectations in advance of any offer. One don’t in this process: don’t expect to have a simple 9-5 job; going the extra mile when asked, and even when not asked, can help demonstrate your value to the employer and accelerate the rate of your growth in the industry as well.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Valenzano III: Entering the field of journalism right now could seem like a daunting task, but if you approach it with the curiosity, tenacity and understanding that led you to the profession you will be successful. Do not be afraid to start at a small paper, magazine, or outlet. Good work breeds new opportunities, and so don’t write for what you think the reputation of the outlet is; rather write the best stories you can for your audience. If you make mistakes—and you will—own them, acknowledge them, fix them if you can, and use them to grow. Above all, do not ever stop writing. The best free throw shooters in basketball practice their craft every day. Writing is your craft, practice it. Finally, read and then read more. Reading makes you a better writer.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Joseph Valenzano III: In the developing field of journalism some classic skills will never cease to be important, but new skills will also become more essential. Writing and the ability to edit your own work will always be crucial to a journalist, as will fact-checking and copyediting. Clean, accurate, engaging writing and the ability to interview and engage with sources and stories will always be the coin of the realm. That said, more and more journalists need to be well versed in multimedia skills and social media. Writing in these formats is different than writing in column spaces for a paper, and so learning how to translate stories to these media is becoming a skill that separates good journalists from great ones. Additionally, video skills such as editing and shooting for short formats is also becoming more important as journalists are often asked to do most, if not all, of the tasks associated with producing a video story.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Damian Radcliffe: The three things I would emphasize are resilience, adaptability and being nice to work with. Resilience matters, because there is constant churn and disruption in many industries, including journalism. Many graduates find it harder to get their start than they realize, those that succeed – and keep succeeding – are resilient. They’re driven. They learn from knockbacks. Those are skills you will need throughout your career.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Damian Radcliffe: Negotiate. Ask for more money. If that’s not forthcoming, can you negotiate a training budget, more PTO, flexible working hours or the ability to WFH a few days a week? Your negotiating position is often at its strongest when you start in a role and not enough people realize that.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Damian Radcliffe: I believe that a lot of core journalistic skills will remain important. That means having a strong news sense, being able to write well, the ability to produce content for multiple platforms and understanding ethics and media law.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
K. Megan Hopper Ph.D.: I would advise that graduates should be prepared to be quick on their feet and never expect the same thing from day to day. Also, be prepared and embrace continual learning - learning about the craft as well as learning about various aspects of life and culture - and to always keep an open mind. The job is rarely boring and that is what makes journalism so exciting!
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
K. Megan Hopper Ph.D.: Certainly becoming even more mobile and multi-modal than one already has to be in the field. I would also say becoming aware of Artificial Intelligence and how to best navigate it and if using it, how to do so responsibly and ethically.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
K. Megan Hopper Ph.D.: By diversifying your skill set as much as possible. Being able to competently gather facts and organize them effectively, shoot interesting and impactful video, capture effective soundbites, post on the web with supporting hyperlinking, and being accurate, timely, and ethical at all times.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Kevin Finch: Comfort with all forms of technology-the obvious answer. In corporate boardrooms all over America, the suits view you as a techno-genius even though they've never met you. That's because they make that generalization about everyone in your generation. It may be unfair, but it's often the price of admission. So, be conversant in many social media platforms. Learn all you can about AI. Be able to explain algorithms to your new colleagues and bosses. They will probably end up learning from you.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Finch: Don't panic. There are lots of jobs available, especially in TV news and in new startups-newsletters, podcasts, web-based operations. But most jobs in communications do not hire a year in advance like some high-level business jobs. You are NOT behind if you don't have a job right now. You'll get one.
Be honest with yourself. Don't apply for jobs you don't really want just for the sake of trying to get something. Picture yourself on the other end of a phone call when a manager says, "Congratulations, you're hired." If the thought makes you nervous or sad, don't apply. Don't waste their time and yours. Sometimes that's about a region of the country where you'd prefer not to live. Sometimes, it's about a particular city, or certain ownership. Whatever your own objection, listen to your inner voice and don't apply.
Bring your family into the conversation. It's YOUR job and your career, but things will go better if you explain what your work hours will be. Some family compromises include asking you to take a job within a two-hour flight of home-or a six-hour car ride. Also, educate them on the likelihood that you may move three times before you're 30. It's the nature of journalism and related careers.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Kevin Finch: Consider your options. Two entry-level jobs may have two very different starting salaries.-because of different sized cities or different corporate pay structures. Don't be desperate and say yes to the first offer without considering those options.
You CAN ask for more money. In my first TV news job when Marconi was young, that ask resulted in just over $250 a year, but it was something. Some places are very rigid. Others have more flexibility.
If they don't budge on salary, how about opportunities for overtime? Or, ask the new boss to pay for your hotel stay to allow you to look for an apartment-or maybe for moving expense money.
Remember this: It's not a life sentence. It's usually a two-year contract. When you apply for your second job, you'll have much more leverage.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Pallavi Guha Ph.D.: Mastering all trades, for example, if you are a journalist, you need reporting skills, social media storytelling skills, basic photography/video skills, and editing skills. Using storyboards and graphics such as Canva, and effectively using social media for sourcing, interviews, checking accuracy, and promoting stories will become irreplaceable.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Pallavi Guha Ph.D.: Building a portfolio while in school, which will 'show not tell' your prospective employers that you have already done what is required for the job.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Pallavi Guha Ph.D.: Mastering all trades, for example, if you are journalist, you need reporting skills, social media story telling skills, basic photography/video skills, and editing skills. Using storyboard and graphics such Canva, and effectively using social media for sourcing, interviews, checking accuracy, and promoting stories will become irreplaceable.
Natalie Becerra
Career Development SpecialistUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Natalie Becerra: Do your research! If you plan to negotiate your salary you need to go in with some research to back up that counteroffer. There are plenty of reliable sites out there to help you determine the market average salary for the type of role you're applying for, while also taking geographic location into consideration. I also encourage students to try and get a rough estimate of their cost of living, especially if they plan to relocate to a larger city, so they can make sure they can make ends meet with the salary they're offered. That research plus evaluating your "value adds" you bring to the role (prestigious education, years of relevant experience, etc.) are all things that you can use to advocate for yourself.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Natalie Becerra: I think some very important skills that will be important to have are resourcefulness and research skills. Especially in the journalism and media industries everything is very trend driven. That means people need to have better research-backed strategies if they want to see long-term, sustainable success. It will be hard to just rely on clickbait and bandwagoning forever, so people should sharpen their research skills and foster a sense of curiosity and resourcefulness to dig deeper and find information for themselves.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Natalie Becerra: In general, I encourage new graduates to stay curious. After you graduate it feels like you're standing on the edge of a cliff in a way, like the road has stopped. There are no more set milestones for you unless you set them yourself. A way to combat that existential feeling is to be curious. Some things you can do are 1) figure out who you are as an individual, 2) ask yourself what you truly enjoy doing for fun, 3) try to learn new skills or gain new experiences, and 4) if you're future-oriented or goal-oriented ask yourself what you want to plan for. The biggest adjustment for me after graduation was figuring out what to do outside of work. I had no hobbies and no idea what I liked to do for fun because I was working or studying outside of classes all through college. So do that self-reflection and act on the self-discoveries!
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson
Assistant Professor of JournalismBelmont University
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: Journalists get to talk to different people everyday and tell different stories. They are relentless questioners; they want to find out the how and why of events and explain them to others. Journalists are storytellers who deal in facts. The negatives can be the pressure to meet deadlines and discomfort of telling stories others don't want told and the rigor of being edited and fact-checked.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: Now more than ever, we need journalists to hold those in power accountable and write unbiased, ethically sourced stories. Journalists can inform, educate and help create a more informed society that leads to a strong democracy. Journalists can uncover corruption, lift up the marginalized and explain complex international issues as well as telling audiences about their local communities.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Assistant Professor Dorren Robinson: A journalist, whether print, digital or broadcast tells relevant, important stories happening in his or her community. Journalists strive to be fast, but also must provide accurate, objective, verifiable stories grounded in research and ethical reporting. Journalists should tell you what to think about, but not what to think.
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Professor Julia Wallace: First: Be confident. If you don't believe in yourself, others won't. Second: Be resilient. You will face setbacks. Figure out how to bounce back from them in the way that's best for you. Third: Adapt and keep learning. The field is changing fast, and you want to be one step ahead. And finally, be a good ally - help those around you and make your work environment better.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Julia Wallace: Ask for more money. Too often, graduates - particularly women - are too intimidated to ask for more money. That's a mistake. Do your research. Know the range and ask for slightly more. Explain your value. Don't tell a potential employer you need more money. Instead, tell them why you are worth more. All these steps are important in getting the highest salary possible in the beginning, but it also lets the employer know you're paying attention to how much they pay you.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Professor Julia Wallace: As always, the technical skills, such good writing and reporting, matter. Those who know how to use technology (including artificial intelligence) will be best equipped for the future. And, in increasingly collaborative workplaces, being a good team player is critical. Someone can have great skills but if they can't work with others, they won't survive.
Rosemary Pennington
Associate Professor & Area Coordinator of Journalism Miami UniversityMiami University
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Rosemary Pennington: This one is harder, but I do think skill stacking is always a good idea. Someone who can, for example, write well, can work with data, and can take good photos is a more versatile reporter and could demand a higher salary than a reporter entering the field who has gotten really good at just one of those things. Building a deep resume through internships and working in student media can also help as it shows you are an experienced reporter who understands the fundamentals of the profession.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rosemary Pennington: Being data fluent and multimedia adept are of increasing importance in the field. Data has always been important to news, but with both data and tools to crunch it becoming more accessible, it's a good idea that beginning journalists become comfortable working with numbers.
So many news outlets are branching across media that journalists really should also get comfortable working in a variety of media. Specializing in a particular medium will not help you find, and keep, a job the way it once did. That doesn't mean you have to be good at it all, but you should be familiar with how news is reported in a variety of formats.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Rosemary Pennington: I think it's important for individuals to cast as wide a net as possible when looking for that first journalism job. The worst thing a new journalist can do right now is cut off options. Apply for TV jobs, online jobs, print jobs -- apply where the jobs are. Most journalism curricula are training graduates to work in a multitude of environments and many employers are willing to provide on the job training around specific skills if the potential employee has a good news foundation. Getting that first job can be the hardest step in building a journalism career, so being open to what media you work in, and where you work, can help you land that first gig.
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.
Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership.University of Georgia
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Reporter?
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.: The journalism field is in flux, so it is very important to be flexible and adaptable and consider jobs with start-ups and non-profit news organizations that may not be at the top of the list. Also, government data shows that about 25% of working journalists are self-employed. Given the size of that proportion, young journalists need to begin thinking like an entrepreneur in terms of self-branding, and they must learn basic skills of running their own business such as how to pitch and price their work and how to submit invoices to get paid.
What will help Reporters increase their earning potential?
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
What Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.: Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming more relevant to journalism jobs, and in the next few years it will become an essential tool for journalists if it already isn't one. Journalists will increasingly use AI as they prepare interview guides, mine data, search for sources, and edit audio or video stories. Journalists have long been comfortable interviewing human subjects. Journalists now must become comfortable with prompt engineering, which is essentially interviewing the computer. But while AI can help journalists become more productive, journalists must also recognize the ethical challenges that come with using these tools and learn to become more transparent with their audiences about how and why AI tools are deployed in a newsroom.
Rodger Johnson
Visiting Lecturer of Practice in Public RelationsIndiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Department of Journalism and Public Relations
What skills stand out on Reporter resumes?
Rodger Johnson: A resume is the least important part of a job. Sure, media companies - all companies on the planet, for that matter -- want us to have one. But that's because HR needs something to do - sift through piles of paper or electronic files - and that makes them feel important. If there is one skill that standout, it's not on the resume. It's how the journalist finds a way to bypass HR and get their resume in my hands. That's a relational skill as much as it is a strategic skill that shows me they understand how a system works and finds ways to maneuver through the system toward their objective. This would also show me the applicate could probably do the same when researching and writing a story. Being able to negotiate relationships and understand how to navigate a system to get an interview or a story are skills that are not easily expressed on paper.
What soft skills should all Reporters possess?
Rodger Johnson: Understanding how to negotiate relationships and navigate systems of bureaucracy are two very important skills to have. A journalist knows how to create and sustain a mutually beneficial relationship with people, which includes building trust while also understanding how to navigate the complicated bureaucracy that shrouds good stories. This is true for a journalist writing a story, or a photojournalist capturing a story in images, or a broadcast reporter following leads and reporting what they learn.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Reporters?
Rodger Johnson: Writing and photography, or videography, or having all three are important hard skills to have. One's writing needs to be impeccable, not just in mechanics, but in how the journalist writes to objectively inform and to move the emotions of their readers.
What skills will help Reporters earn the most?
Rodger Johnson: There seems to be a cult fetish with money and wealth in our culture - this is unhealthy - and leads people to do things with their skills that can be both unethical and unhealthy for them and their audience. It's not about the money; it's about building extraordinary relationships, navigating complicated bureaucracy, uncovering the stories that inform and move people forward toward better lives. The money will be there because one's audience will continue to read and pay for good stories. One may not become a millionaire, but that's not important, so long as they touch lives with the stories they write.