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.
Also called: Anchor, Anchorman, Art Critic, Basketball Commentator, Blogger, Book Critic
Median pay
$62,200
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,240 – $144,140
People employed
39,250
Holland code
AIE
Artistic · Investigative · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists salary in every state →
What news analysts, reporters, and journalists do
- 01Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- 02Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- 03Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- 04Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- 05Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- 06Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from news analysts, reporters, and journalists
- Producers and Directors85% · +45%
- Film and Video Editors78% · +21%
- Media Programming Directors75% · group pay
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers72% · −18%
- Intelligence Analysts71% · group pay
Change into news analysts, reporters, and journalists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers73% · $51,120
- Film and Video Editors71% · $75,420
- Producers and Directors69% · $90,360
- Graphic Designers66% · $62,960
- Historians64% · $76,750
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural Communication/Journalism
- Communication, General
- Mass Communication/Media Studies
- Journalism
- Broadcast Journalism
- Photojournalism
- Business and Economic Journalism
- Cultural Journalism
- Science/Health/Environmental Journalism
- Journalism, Other
- Radio and Television
- Political Communication
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.