Occupation · SOC 27-3023
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.
Median wage
$60,280
$34,590–$162,430
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
41,550
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
653 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingWritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningPersuasionService OrientationMonitoringNegotiationSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationMathematicsTechnology DesignQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesProgrammingOperations AnalysisTroubleshootingScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceGeographyPublic Safety and SecurityHistory and ArcheologyAdministration and ManagementSociology and AnthropologyPsychologyAdministrativeEducation and TrainingMathematicsTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingFine ArtsPersonnel and Human ResourcesMedicine and DentistryEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingDesignBiologyTherapy and CounselingMechanicalPhysicsFood ProductionBuilding and ConstructionChemistry
Technology & tools
Adobe After EffectsAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Premiere ProApple Final Cut ProAudion Laboratories VoxProAvid Technology Pro ToolsDesktop Technologies NewsBossESRI ArcViewFacebookFileMaker ProGrass Valley EDIUSHypertext markup language HTMLIBM SPSS StatisticsLexisNexisMapping softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft Visual FoxProMicrosoft WordNielsen AriannaNielsen MarketbreaksOnline databasesQuarkXPressRCS NexGen DigitalSnapchatSocial media sitesSocial media softwareStatistical analysis softwareStatistics databasesTwitterVideo editing softwareWeb browser softwareWeb content management system CMS softwareWordPress
Representative tasks
Getting InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
News story leads and editorial assignments — evaluate and prioritize under direct supervision in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Background research materials — gather and compile using online databases and library resources to support assigned stories.Interview subjects — identify and contact with guidance from senior reporters to obtain basic information for news articles.Written news articles — draft using AP style and desktop publishing software under close editorial review.News items of local significance — examine daily to recognize potential topics with direction from editorial staff.Audio and video recording equipment — operate during field assignments to capture basic footage under supervisor instruction.Social media and wire service feeds — monitor for breaking news tips and lead developments as part of a daily beat routine.News scripts — compose for broadcast segments using word processing tools with editor feedback before air.Factual accuracy of story elements — verify through a second source following established newsroom protocols.Geographic and contextual background — research using GIS tools and reference databases to anchor stories in accurate local detail.
developing
Assigned beat coverage — manage independently, developing consistent source relationships across local government and community sectors.News and information from multiple sources — analyze and synthesize to produce accurate, balanced reports for print, digital, or broadcast platforms.Interviews with public officials and subject-matter experts — arrange and conduct with minimal editorial guidance in deadline-driven environments.Commentaries and columns — write and refine using critical thinking and English-language command for regular publication in a regional outlet.Story ideas — generate by evaluating tips, leads, and monitoring competitor coverage within a defined beat.Video creation and editing software — apply to produce multimedia story packages for digital news platforms on routine assignments.News broadcast segments — prepare and deliver on air, coordinating with producers and technical staff in a live studio setting.Legal and governmental frameworks — apply working knowledge of law and government to contextualize policy stories accurately.Active listening and social perceptiveness — employ during field interviews to identify unstated subtext and follow-up story angles.Project management software — use to track story pipeline, deadlines, and source callbacks across concurrent assignments.
proficient
Complex, multi-source investigations — lead from tip to publication, independently applying inductive reasoning to identify patterns across large information sets.National and international news significance — assess autonomously to select and frame stories that serve audience needs across multiple distribution channels.In-depth analytical reports and op-ed scripts — produce with authoritative voice and precision under tight broadcast or publication deadlines.Non-routine breaking news situations — respond to and manage, coordinating live coverage logistics across field reporters and editorial staff.Sensitive source relationships — cultivate and protect over time, demonstrating integrity and confidentiality standards aligned with press ethics codes.Data journalism tools including analytical software and database query interfaces — apply to uncover and visualize quantitative story elements.Graphics, photo imaging, and web page creation tools — integrate fluently into full multimedia story packages for digital-first news environments.Interpretive news analysis segments — anchor or author, translating technical or policy information into accessible language for general audiences.Legal, geographic, and telecommunications knowledge domains — synthesize across a single investigative project to build comprehensive, defensible narratives.Time management under competing breaking-news demands — execute with selective attention, maintaining accuracy across simultaneous high-priority stories.
advanced
Editorial strategy and story selection criteria — establish for an entire news operation, aligning coverage priorities with audience, mission, and public-interest standards.Emerging journalists and mid-level reporters — mentor and coach in reporting technique, ethical judgment, and multimedia storytelling across a full department.Organizational standards for accuracy, sourcing, and legal compliance — define, communicate, and enforce across editorial and production teams.Broadcast news program direction — oversee as senior anchor or executive producer, setting tone, pacing, and segment mix for live daily programming.Cross-platform content strategy including web, social, video, and print — design and lead at scale to maximize audience reach and journalistic impact.Industry-wide ethical debates and press freedom issues — contribute to through published analysis, public advocacy, and participation in professional standards bodies.Investigative journalism units — build and sustain by securing resources, protecting editorial independence, and championing high-risk accountability reporting.Partnerships with wire services, freelancers, and technology vendors — negotiate and manage to expand organizational capacity and geographic coverage.Audience analytics and geographic information systems — leverage at the strategic level to inform editorial positioning and resource allocation decisions.Crisis and breaking-news response protocols — architect for the organization, ensuring coordinated, accurate, and ethically grounded coverage under high-pressure conditions.
Also known as
96 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AnchorAnchormanArt CriticBasketball CommentatorBloggerBook CriticBook ReviewerBreaking News ReporterBroadcast JournalistBroadcast MeteorologistBroadcast News AdvisorBusiness ReporterBusiness WriterColumnistCommentatorCorrespondentCourtroom ReporterCriticCub ReporterData JournalistDesk ReporterDigital CommentatorDigital ProducerDigital ReporterDramatic CriticEditorial WriterEducation ReporterEnvironmental JournalistFashion JournalistFeature WriterFilm CriticFinancial WriterFood CriticFood WriterForeign CorrespondentGeneral Assignment ReporterGeneral Assignment Television News ReporterHeadline WriterInformation WriterInvestigative Reporter