News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
What it pays
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median of $29.91/hr — about $62,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $17.42/hr; the top 10% earn $69.30/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median of $29.91/hr — about $62,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $17.42/hr; the top 10% earn $69.30/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
Time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 15.6% of news analysts, reporters, and journalists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are creative, analytical and take-charge.
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Quick questions
- How much does a news analysts, reporters, and journalist make?
- The median pay is $29.91 per hour — roughly $62,000 a year, with the real range running from about $17.42/hr (10th percentile) to $69.30/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a news analysts, reporters, and journalist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a news analysts, reporters, and journalist actually do all day?
- Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers. Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs. Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.