Staff Reporter

Impact: Informational

Staff Reporters gather facts, conduct interviews, and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, or radio. They investigate leads, verify information, and present accurate and engaging content to the public. This role requires strong research, writing, and communication skills, often working under tight deadlines.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
Balanced
Client facing
Always
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Moderate
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
40-50 hours per week
Stress level
High

At a glance

Median salary
$60,000
Entry-level
$40,000
Senior
$90,000
Growth by 2033
-5%
Demand
Declining
Freelance potential
High
Salary growth potential
High
Typical student debt
$30,000 - $50,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Journalism
  • Research
  • Interviewing
  • Editing
  • Digital Media

Soft skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Judgment
  • Social Perceptiveness

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education
Bachelor's degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
5
Years to senior
10
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Reporter
      2. Senior Reporter
      3. Editor
      4. Managing Editor

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      15%
      AI disruption risk
      Moderate
      Demand trend
      Declining

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      6.5/10
      Meaning
      8/10
      Work-life balance
      5/10
      Prestige
      6.5/10
      Social perception
      High

      Similar careers