News analysts, reporters, and journalists
SOC Code: 27-3023
News analysts, reporters, and journalists carries a 56% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,280 and -3.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 49,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
News analysts, reporters, and journalists (SOC 27-3023) carries an AI exposure score of 56%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 49,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -3.9% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $60,280, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes News analysts, reporters, and journalists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
- 2. Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
- 3. Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
- 4. Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
- 5. Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- 6. Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- 7. Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- 8. Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- 9. Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
- 10. Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Geography
- Public Safety and Security
- History and Archeology
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace News analysts, reporters, and journalists?
News analysts, reporters, and journalists has an AI exposure score of 56%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for News analysts, reporters, and journalists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, News analysts, reporters, and journalists is projected to decline by 3.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 49,300 workers.
What skills are needed for News analysts, reporters, and journalists?
Key skills for News analysts, reporters, and journalists include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do News analysts, reporters, and journalists earn?
The median annual wage for News analysts, reporters, and journalists is $60,280, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for News analysts, reporters, and journalists?
The typical entry-level education for News analysts, reporters, and journalists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ News analysts, reporters, and journalists?
News analysts, reporters, and journalists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).