Okay, so Rodger Mullen has been working as a reporter for 37 years, which is a long time. His experience and tenure at The Fayetteville Observer, a local newspaper, suggest he's a veteran journalist. However, his role is a reporter, which tends to be lower-paying than other journalism roles like editing or managing. Location is also a factor; the Fayetteville, North Carolina Metropolitan Area might have a lower cost of living, which could impact salary expectations. Considering these factors, I'd estimate his hourly rate to be around $45, which is a rough estimate and may vary depending on the specific industry standards and market conditions.