Arts, Design, Media & Sports
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Also called: Anchor, Journalist, Multimedia Journalist, News Anchor
US median pay
$62,200
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-5.9%
declining
Openings a year (US)
3,400
47,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
- Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
- Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
- Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.
- Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Coordination3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Persuasion3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
- Negotiation2.8/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.8/5
- Communications and Media4.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
- Law and Government2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.