What Do Investigative Reporters Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for investigative reporters?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what investigative reporters do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Investigative Reporters Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about investigative reporters by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Investigative Reporters 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.
Popular Job Titles For Investigative Reporters
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Multimedia Journalists
- Reporters
- News Reporters
- Staff Writers
- Sports Reporters
- Anchors/Reporters
- News Anchors/Reporters
- News Anchors
- General Assignment Reporters
- Investigative Reporters
- Breaking News Reporters
- Anchors
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for investigative reporters can be found.
Best Industries for Investigative Reporters
Investigative Reporters Jobs By Industry
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers: 38.7%
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 28.6%
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations: 24.5%
- Motion Picture and Video Industries: 2.5%
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite): 0.7%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 0.7%
- Other: 4.3%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of investigative reporters can be found working in the Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers sector. In 2023, about 38.7% of all jobs for investigative reporters were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (28.6%), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (24.5%), Motion Picture and Video Industries (2.5%), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (0.7%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (0.7%).
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What Do Investigative Reporters Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what investigative reporters do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work investigative reporters do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that investigative reporters tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for investigative reporters, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Investigative Reporters
Based on 13,905 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Investigative Reporters
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 7,860 | 57% |
| Social Media | 3,018 | 22% |
| News Stories | 2,848 | 20% |
| Storytelling | 1,985 | 14% |
| AP Stylebook | 1,501 | 11% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Investigative Reporters
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 6,462 | 46% |
| Communication | 5,985 | 43% |
| Editing | 3,939 | 28% |
| Research | 3,535 | 25% |
| Self-Motivation | 2,579 | 19% |
Based on 13,905 job postings related to investigative reporters, journalism was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 57% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for social media, news stories, storytelling, ap stylebook and content creation were also highly sought.
As for common skills, writing was the most desired skill found in job postings for investigative reporters, followed by communication, editing, research, self-motivation and ability to meet deadlines.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 7,860 | 57% |
| Social Media | 3,018 | 22% |
| News Stories | 2,848 | 20% |
| Storytelling | 1,985 | 14% |
| AP Stylebook | 1,501 | 11% |
| Content Creation | 1,426 | 10% |
| News Reporting | 1,408 | 10% |
| News Anchoring | 1,271 | 9% |
| Videography | 1,175 | 8% |
| Live Reporting | 1,072 | 8% |
| News Editing | 988 | 7% |
| News Coverage | 924 | 7% |
| Photography | 920 | 7% |
| Search Engine Optimization | 920 | 7% |
| Marketing | 696 | 5% |
| Broadcasting | 650 | 5% |
| Breaking News Coverage | 648 | 5% |
| Multimedia | 627 | 5% |
| Sports Journalism | 593 | 4% |
| Linear Video Editing | 584 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 6,462 | 46% |
| Communication | 5,985 | 43% |
| Editing | 3,939 | 28% |
| Research | 3,535 | 25% |
| Self-Motivation | 2,579 | 19% |
| Ability To Meet Deadlines | 2,559 | 18% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 2,222 | 16% |
| Good Driving Record | 1,948 | 14% |
| English Language | 1,821 | 13% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,531 | 11% |
| Grammar | 1,478 | 11% |
| Multitasking | 1,366 | 10% |
| Management | 1,136 | 8% |
| Time Management | 993 | 7% |
| Information Gathering | 978 | 7% |
| Problem Solving | 972 | 7% |
| Organizational Skills | 933 | 7% |
| Leadership | 929 | 7% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 921 | 7% |
| Curiosity | 911 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Investigative Reporters
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Multimedia Journalists | 4,154 | 22.5% |
| Reporters | 3,234 | 17.5% |
| News Reporters | 1,820 | 9.9% |
| Staff Writers | 1,023 | 5.5% |
| Sports Reporters | 732 | 4% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was multimedia journalists, with 1,686 unique job postings. Reporters were second, with 819 postings, followed by news reporters, staff writers and sports reporters.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to investigative reporters.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Multimedia Journalists | 4,154 | 22.5% |
| Reporters | 3,234 | 17.5% |
| News Reporters | 1,820 | 9.9% |
| Staff Writers | 1,023 | 5.5% |
| Sports Reporters | 732 | 4% |
| Anchors/Reporters | 822 | 4.5% |
| News Anchors/Reporters | 751 | 4.1% |
| News Anchors | 985 | 5.3% |
| General Assignment Reporters | 686 | 3.7% |
| Investigative Reporters | 459 | 2.5% |
| Breaking News Reporters | 472 | 2.6% |
| Anchors | 384 | 2.1% |
| Digital Reporters | 386 | 2.1% |
| Education Reporters | 266 | 1.4% |
| Hearing Reporters | 719 | 3.9% |
| Morning News Anchors | 301 | 1.6% |
| Journalists | 582 | 3.2% |
| Government Reporters | 252 | 1.4% |
| Sports Anchors/Reporters | 204 | 1.1% |
| Multi-Skilled Operators | 222 | 1.2% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for investigative reporters? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for investigative reporters.
How much do investigative reporters make?
Investigative Reporters: How do you become one?
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