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Beat Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lee Enterprises

Buffalo Bills Beat Reporter

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$23.25 - $31.50/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter who, as the lead beat writer on the Buffalo Bills, can break news, provide analysis and take readers behind the scenes at One Bills Drive in a way that ...

leeenterprises

Buffalo Bills Beat Reporter

Buffalo, NY

$23.25 - $31.50/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter who, as the lead beat writer on the Buffalo Bills, can break news, provide analysis and take readers behind the scenes at One Bills Drive in a way that ...

leeenterprises

Buffalo Bills Beat Reporter

Buffalo, NY

$23.25 - $31.50/hr

We are looking for an aggressive reporter who, as the lead beat writer on the Buffalo Bills, can break news, provide analysis and take readers behind the scenes at One Bills Drive in a way that ...

Geil Enterprises, Inc

Beat Patrol Driver

Fresno, CA

$18.90 - $21/hr

Beat Patrol Driver Join our team at CIS Security as a Patrol Officer and play a crucial role in ... Write detailed incident reports and maintain daily activity logs. * Provide excellent customer ...

Geil Enterprises, Inc.

Beat Patrol Driver

Fresno, CA · On-site

$18.90 - $21/hr

The Beat Patrol Officer role is perfect for individuals who thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced ... Write detailed incident reports and maintain daily activity logs. * Provide excellent customer ...

gannett

College Sports Reporter

Oklahoma City, OK

While football is a year-round priority, this reporter will also team with columnists and the OU beat writer to lead coverage of other sports -- including basketball, baseball, softball and ...

gannett

College Sports Reporter

Oklahoma City, OK

While football is a year-round priority, this reporter will also team with columnists and the OU beat writer to lead coverage of other sports -- including basketball, baseball, softball and ...

Fox

Writer, Politics

Washington, DC · On-site

$67K - $80K/yr

You can write and produce several stories efficiently each day - covering both the news of the ... Stay engaged with your beat during weekends or holidays as news demands * Inform editors of current ...

The Daily News

News Staff Writer

Huntingdon, PA · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

Team player Youll have a beat which includes covering news events, meetings, and community events. Youll also write feature stories that interest you. Hours include both daytime and evening shifts ...

Evening Post Publishing

Retail Reporter

Charleston, SC · On-site

$23 - $31/hr

You are a strong candidate if you know how to break news on your beat, can write with flair and bring urgency to in-the-moment news, along with creative know-how to develop smart, quick-turn ...

gannett

Detroit Free Press Tigers Writer

Detroit, MI

The Tigers beat reporter must also have a knack for producing entertaining features and investigative pieces. The ability to break news is critical, and this reporter must be able to develop strong ...

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How much do beat writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for beat writer in the United States is $24.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a beat writer?

A beat writer is a journalist who is assigned to cover a specific topic, team, or area of interest—known as a 'beat'—on a regular basis. For example, a sports beat writer may follow one particular team, reporting on games, player news, and behind-the-scenes developments. Beat writers develop in-depth knowledge of their subject and build relationships with sources to provide timely, authoritative coverage. Their work is essential for delivering comprehensive and consistent information to readers. Beat writers often work for newspapers, magazines, or online media outlets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a beat writer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Beat Writer, you need strong reporting skills, deep subject matter knowledge, and typically a degree in journalism or communications. Familiarity with content management systems, social media platforms, and digital publishing tools is often required. Curiosity, persistence, and the ability to build relationships make someone particularly effective in this role. These skills are essential for consistently delivering timely, accurate, and engaging coverage of a specific topic or industry.

How does a beat writer typically collaborate with editors and other newsroom staff?

Beat Writers work closely with editors to pitch stories, discuss angles, and receive feedback on their reporting. They often participate in editorial meetings to align their coverage with the publication’s priorities, and coordinate with photographers, digital producers, and sometimes other reporters to enhance their stories. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as Beat Writers must balance independent reporting with collaborative input to meet deadlines and maintain the publication’s standards.

What is the difference between Beat Writer vs Sports Journalist?

AspectBeat WriterSports Journalist
CredentialsTypically a degree in journalism, communications, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with specialized sports knowledge
Work EnvironmentAssigns to specific beats or topics, often working for newspapers or online outletsBroader coverage, including reporting, feature writing, and analysis
Industry UsageCommonly used in newspapers, magazines, and online media focusing on specific topicsUsed across various media outlets for general and specialized sports coverage

In summary, a Beat Writer focuses on covering specific topics or beats regularly, often for newspapers or online outlets, while a Sports Journalist has a broader role that includes reporting, analysis, and feature writing across various sports topics. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and focus.

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Beat Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Beat Writer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 41% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 55% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 43% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,519 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Buffalo Bills Beat Reporter

Buffalo, NY • On-site

Lee Enterprises

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 78 rated media

Respectful managers

Learn more about Lee Enterprisesexternal

$23.25 - $31.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

BUFFALO BILLS BEAT REPORTER
The Buffalo News is seeking an experienced, digital-savvy journalist who will own one of the highest-profile beats in the NFL.
We are looking for an aggressive reporter who, as the lead beat writer on the Buffalo Bills, can break news, provide analysis and take readers behind the scenes at One Bills Drive in a way that expands our audience in Western New York and beyond.
The Bills have an enormous, passionate, worldwide audience. And Buffalo News readers have an insatiable appetite for the Bills: As our No. 1 franchise topic, we publish at least one Bills story every day, usually many more.
The Buffalo News has a proud history of unparalleled NFL coverage. It is the only organization from which three writers have served as president of the Pro Football Writers of America. We won seven APSE Top 10 honors this year, including the coveted "Triple Crown," and the executive sports editor will become APSE president in July.
Our ideal candidate will be able to break news and tell great stories across multiple platforms, often simultaneously. He or she will be as comfortable working sources as sitting in the press box covering the game. We are looking for someone whose writing reflects ambition and enterprise and can identify new ways to make sure your content grows our subscriber base and overall audience.
You'll play a collaborative role on a four-person team that covers a franchise that generates as much buzz as any in North American sports. The spotlight is always on an NFL franchise, but it burns brighter here - never more than now, with Josh Allen at the controls, a new coach in Joe Brady and a brand-new stadium opening this fall.
A deep knowledge of football is a must. Previous NFL beat experience is preferred, but we will consider those with strong experience on a major college or other pro beat.
In this role, you will:
  • Produce coverage that goes beyond press availability, establishing a unique voice on the beat.
  • Develop sources and break news of all sorts on the Bills beat.
  • Contribute to our podcasts and produce vertical video.
  • Maintain consistent communication with editors and fellow staff members.
  • Monitor data analytics to understand what our readers want.
  • Be a strong storyteller who can report on the inner workings of the Bills organization and the rest of the NFL.

Other requirements include:
  • Proficiency in social media as a reporting and reader engagement tool
  • Ability to write quickly, clearly and accurately on deadline
  • Digital fluency
  • Effective time management skills given multiple responsibilities and travel commitments.

The Buffalo News has the largest staff of journalists in the region. We have a history of breaking big stories and investing in stories that matter. We strive to hire talented and dedicated people who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.
Why Buffalo? The region is a lot more than chicken wings and snow. The city has seen a resurgence that makes it an exciting time to work and live here. Aside from professional sports teams, the city has a philharmonic, a growing waterfront, a burgeoning medical campus and plenty of attitude - not to mention Niagara Falls, beautiful hikes and ski slopes all within a short drive.
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription and advertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expanding digital products serving 114 markets across 25 states.

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