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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.

Other titles employers use

Anchor · News Anchor · News Reporter · Radio News Anchor · Radio Talk Show Host · Reporter · Staff Writer · Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor)

Inside the work

What you would actually do.

6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.

  • 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.

Who it suits

Would this work hold your attention?

This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, analytical and persuading work.

Creative
Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
Analytical
Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Persuading
Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case

Skills and strengths

What you would get good at.

Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.

Core skills

  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Time Management

Subjects to know

  • English Language
  • Communications and Media
  • Law and Government
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Telecommunications

Useful strengths

  • Oral Expression
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Expression
  • Speech Clarity
  • Written Comprehension

Working day

Picture yourself doing it.

These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.

How this job scores on four measures of working conditions, out of five
MeasureOut of 5What that means here
Close to other people3.4 Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder
On your feet2.2 Mostly seated
Talking face to face4.5 A regular part of the day
Working with your hands2.6 Little of the day

Tools of the work

Technology you may use.

  • Web page creation and editing software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Analytical or scientific software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Web platform development software
  • Spreadsheet software

Opportunity near you

See where this work is growing.

Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.

Selected stateCalifornia
People doing this work
7,100
Job openings each year
770
Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
4.4%
Compare every available state
State People doing it Job openings each year Expected change
California 7,100 770 4.4%
New York 5,920 0 −9.2%
Florida 3,780 410
District of Columbia 2,850 310 4.8%
Texas 2,720 290 −4.2%
Ohio 2,280 230 −13.6%
Pennsylvania 1,640 180
New Jersey 1,300 140 −2.3%
Georgia 1,290 130 −15.7%
North Carolina 1,270 140 −1.6%
Indiana 1,170 130 −2.5%
South Carolina 1,170 140 21.9%
Virginia 1,130 120 −8.1%
Illinois 1,070 110 −3.6%
Colorado 980 100 −16.2%
Washington 940 80 −12.1%
Michigan 930 100 −12.3%
Missouri 850 90 −1.2%
Maryland 820 80 −10.9%
Iowa 710 80 −4.1%
Arizona 680 70 3.0%
Connecticut 660 70 −5.7%
Wisconsin 660 70 −7.0%
Alabama 650 70 −4.4%
Minnesota 640 70 −1.5%
Nebraska 610 70 −7.6%
Kansas 520 50 −18.8%
Idaho 510 60 2.0%
Kentucky 510 50 −10.5%
Mississippi 510 60 18.6%
Oklahoma 460 50 −4.2%
Massachusetts 420 40 −4.5%
Nevada 420 50 13.5%
Oregon 390 40 −22.0%
Louisiana 330 40 −2.9%
West Virginia 330 40 6.5%
Arkansas 320 30 −11.1%
South Dakota 300 30 −6.3%
Vermont 290 30 3.6%
New Mexico 280 30
Puerto Rico 270 30 8.0%
Maine 260 30 −7.1%
Montana 250 30 −10.7%
North Dakota 230 20 −11.5%
Rhode Island 200 20
New Hampshire 190 20 −5.0%
Wyoming 170 20 −5.6%
Utah 150 20 7.1%
Alaska 110 10 −21.4%
Delaware 60 10

Career to college

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