What Does it Take to Be a Reporter or Correspondent?
Reporter or Correspondent Example Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, news magazine, radio, or television.
Daily Life Of a Reporter or Correspondent
- Photograph or videotape news events.
- Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
- Take pictures or video and process them for inclusion in a story.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
- Gather information about events through research, interviews, experience, or attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social, or other functions.
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Things a Reporter or Correspondent Should Know How to Do
When polled, Reporters and Correspondents say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Reporter or Correspondent Jobs
- Journalist
- Foreign Correspondent
- Market Reporter
- Fashion Journalist
- Sports Anchor
Reporter or Correspondent Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 44,700 jobs for Reporter or Correspondent in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Reporter or Correspondent. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Reporter or Correspondent are District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, New Hampshire, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Reporter or Correspondent
The average yearly salary of a Reporter or Correspondent ranges between $23,490 and $100,930.

Reporters and Correspondents who work in District of Columbia, New York, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Reporters and Correspondents in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $37,770 |
Alaska | $48,230 |
Arizona | $61,400 |
Arkansas | $32,620 |
California | $67,820 |
Colorado | $55,930 |
Connecticut | $45,130 |
Delaware | $50,580 |
District of Columbia | $100,550 |
Florida | $53,810 |
Georgia | $51,140 |
Hawaii | $43,250 |
Idaho | $34,390 |
Illinois | $53,610 |
Indiana | $46,830 |
Iowa | $32,650 |
Kansas | $47,180 |
Kentucky | $50,190 |
Louisiana | $57,990 |
Maine | $42,650 |
Maryland | $60,170 |
Massachusetts | $53,140 |
Michigan | $47,110 |
Minnesota | $51,770 |
Mississippi | $34,530 |
Missouri | $45,240 |
Montana | $29,270 |
Nebraska | $39,510 |
Nevada | $47,900 |
New Hampshire | $44,900 |
New Jersey | $61,180 |
New Mexico | $49,230 |
New York | $81,930 |
North Carolina | $41,660 |
North Dakota | $43,740 |
Ohio | $42,050 |
Oklahoma | $38,300 |
Oregon | $48,960 |
Pennsylvania | $39,600 |
South Carolina | $46,660 |
South Dakota | $32,390 |
Tennessee | $37,290 |
Texas | $45,910 |
Utah | $50,120 |
Vermont | $38,890 |
Virginia | $49,530 |
Washington | $53,980 |
West Virginia | $38,260 |
Wisconsin | $34,180 |
Wyoming | $30,900 |
What Tools & Technology do Reporters and Correspondents Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Reporters and Correspondents:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Publisher
- FileMaker Pro
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- LexisNexis
- YouTube
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- ESRI ArcView
- Social media sites
- Mapping software
How do I Become a Reporter or Correspondent?
What kind of Reporter or Correspondent requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Reporter or Correspondent?

Who Employs Reporters and Correspondents?

Reporters and Correspondents work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Reporter or Correspondent might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Jfurrer via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unreported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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