Data Journalist

Career Guide

A Data Journalist finds, analyzes, and explains stories using data. They combine reporting skills with data analysis and clear visuals to help audiences understand complex issues and trends.

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Key Responsibilities

Find story ideas in datasets, reports, and public records
Collect data through requests, scraping, and source outreach
Clean and organize data for analysis
Analyze data to identify trends, outliers, and key findings
Interview sources to add context and verify conclusions
Create charts, maps, and interactive visuals
Write and edit stories that clearly explain methods and results
Fact check calculations, assumptions, and sourcing
Collaborate with editors, designers, and engineers
Maintain documentation to support transparency and repeatability

Top Skills for Success

Investigative Reporting

Interviewing

Storytelling

News Judgment

Data Literacy

Statistical Reasoning

Spreadsheet Analysis

SQL

Python

Data Cleaning

Data Visualization

Chart Design

Mapping

Web Scraping

Public Records Research

FOIA Requests

Source Evaluation

Verification

Ethics

Documentation

HTML

CSS

JavaScript

Accessibility

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Data Journalist

Visual Journalist

Investigative Reporter

Newsroom Data Analyst

Audience Data Analyst

Transition Opportunities

Investigative Editor

Data Editor

Graphics Editor

Product Analyst Research Analyst

Civic Data Analyst

Analytics Engineer

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Statistics FundamentalsSQL QueryingReproducible WorkflowsVersion ControlData Visualization DesignMethod TransparencyData Privacy

Development SuggestionsBuild a small portfolio with two to four published style projects using public datasets. Practice a repeatable workflow using SQL, a notebook, and version control. Add a short methods section to each project that explains sources, steps, and limits. Seek editorial feedback to improve clarity and accuracy.

Market Intelligence Report

Data Journalist is part of the Journalism & Editorial category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 55,000 to 80,000

Mid LevelUSD 80,000 to 115,000

Senior LevelUSD 115,000 to 170,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with hiring strongest at digital newsrooms, investigative teams, and organizations producing data driven reporting. Demand rises during major news cycles and for roles that can ship analysis quickly with strong visuals.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

The New York TimesThe Washington PostThe Wall Street JournalBloombergReutersAssociated PressBBCThe GuardianProPublicaNPRVox Media

Industry Sectors

News and MediaInvestigative NonprofitsPublic BroadcastingFinancial NewsLocal JournalismCivic TechnologyPolicy Research

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio project based on a timely local issue using a public dataset

Learn SQL well enough to join tables and validate totals

Practice data cleaning on messy real world datasets

Publish a short write up that explains your methodology and caveats

Develop one strong visualization piece with a clear takeaway

Set up a simple version control workflow and document your steps

Pitch one data driven story to a local outlet or newsletter

Join a data journalism community and request a portfolio review