Radio and television broadcasting | 71%
Self-employed workers | 13%
Educational services; state, local, and private | 3%

Reporters and correspondents held about 42,800 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of reporters and correspondents were as follows:

Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers | 44%
Radio and television broadcasting | 28%
Self-employed workers | 14%
Other information services | 9%

Reporters and correspondents spend a lot of time in the field, conducting interviews and investigating stories. Many reporters spend little to no time in an office. They travel to be on location for events or to meet contacts and file stories remotely.

Bachelor’s degree programs in journalism and communications include classes in journalistic ethics and techniques for researching stories and conducting interviews. Some programs may require students to take liberal arts classes, such as history, economics, and political science, so that students are prepared to cover stories on a wide range of subjects. Students may further specialize in the type of journalism they wish to pursue, such as print, broadcast, or multimedia.

Computer skills. Journalists should be able to use editing equipment and other broadcast-related devices. They should also be able to use multimedia and coding software in order to publish stories on websites and mobile devices.

Interpersonal skills. To develop contacts and conduct interviews, reporters need to build good relationships with many people. They also need to work well with other journalists, editors, and news directors.

Persistence. Sometimes, getting the facts of a story is difficult, particularly when those involved refuse to be interviewed or to provide comment. Journalists need to be persistent in pursuing the story.

Stamina. The work of journalists is often fast paced and exhausting. Reporters must be able to keep up with the additional hours of work.

The median annual wage for reporters and correspondents was $41,260 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,930.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for broadcast news analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Radio and television broadcasting | $64,600
Educational services; state, local, and private | $41,210

In May 2018, the median annual wages for reporters and correspondents in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Other information services | $59,720
Radio and television broadcasting | $48,220
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers | $35,860

Most reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts work full time. Reporters may need to work additional hours or change their schedules in order to follow breaking news. Because news can happen at any time, journalists may need to work nights and weekends. Broadcast news analysts may also work nights and weekends to lead news programs or provide commentary.

Readership and circulation of newspapers are expected to continue to decline over the next decade. In addition, television and radio stations are increasingly publishing content online and on mobile devices. As a result, news organizations may have more difficulty selling traditional forms of advertising, which is often their primary source of revenue. Some organizations will likely continue to use new forms of advertising or offer paid subscriptions, but these innovations may not make up for lost print-ad revenues.

Declining revenue will force news organizations to downsize and employ fewer journalists. Increasing demand for online news may offset some of the downsizing. However, because online and mobile ad revenue is typically less than print revenue, the growth in digital advertising may not offset the decline in print advertising, circulation, and readership.

News organizations also continue to consolidate and increasingly are sharing resources, staff, and content with other media outlets. For example, reporters are able to gather and report on news for a media outlet that can be published in multiple newspapers owned by the same parent company. As consolidations, mergers, and news sharing continue, the demand for journalists may decrease. However, in some instances, consolidations may help limit the loss of jobs. Mergers may allow financially troubled newspapers, radio stations, and television stations to keep staff because of increased funding and resources from the larger organization.

Multimedia journalism experience, including recording and editing video or audio pieces, should also improve job prospects. Because stations and media outlets are increasingly publishing content on multiple media platforms, particularly the web, employers may prefer applicants who have experience in website design and coding.

Society of Professional Journalists

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