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
SpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementCritical ThinkingCoordination
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunications
Technology & tools
Video creation and editing softwareDesktop publishing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareMusic or sound editing softwareProject management software
Representative tasks
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.Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.Review written, audio, or video copy, and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.Determine a published or broadcasted story's emphasis, length, and format, organizing material accordingly.Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.Photograph or videotape news events.Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.Take pictures or video, and process them for inclusion in a story.Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.Write online blog entries that address news developments or offer additional information, opinions, or commentary on news events.Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
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
122 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Foreign CorrespondentNewspaper ReporterNews AnalystBook ReviewerNewspaper ColumnistNews CommentatorPublic Affairs (Air Force 35P3)Public Affairs (Air Force 35PX)Volleyball CommentatorCourtroom ReporterRadio Talk Show HostNewswriterFood CriticPublic Affairs Specialist (Coast Guard PA)Public Affairs Apprentice (Air Force 3N036)General Assignment ReporterEducation ReporterPress WriterMultimedia JournalistCommunication Strategy and Operations Officer (Marine Corps 4502)Digital ReporterContent Developer (Navy 002760)Business ReporterMorning News AnchorFinancial WriterBroadcast News AdvisorSports ReporterPublic Affairs (Air Force 3N0X6)CommentatorPublic Affairs Journeyman (Air Force 3N056)Travel WriterBroadcast MeteorologistCommunication Director (Navy 002763)Sports AnchorBreaking News ReporterTravel JournalistStaff ReporterMarket ReporterRadio CommentatorFeature Writer