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Data Journalist Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Star Tribune

Lifecycle Marketing Lead

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

We're seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this ... This role develops and executes data-driven marketing initiatives across onsite experiences, email ...

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Data Journalist information

See Minnesota salary details

$29.4K

$59.7K

$128.3K

How much do data journalist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for data journalist in Minnesota is $59,724.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,300.00 and $77,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data journalist?

Data journalists are professionals who use data analysis, statistics, and digital tools to uncover, investigate, and tell compelling stories. They collect, process, and visualize data to find trends, patterns, and insights that may not be immediately visible through traditional reporting. Data journalists often collaborate with other reporters, editors, and developers to create interactive graphics, charts, and maps that help explain complex topics to the public. Their work helps make large datasets accessible and understandable, enhancing the quality of news reporting.

How do data journalists typically collaborate with editors and subject matter experts during the reporting process?

Data journalists work closely with editors to identify newsworthy stories and ensure data-driven reports are clear and accurate. They frequently consult subject matter experts to contextualize findings and validate interpretations, especially when dealing with complex datasets. This collaborative approach helps guarantee that the final piece is both informative and accessible to a broad audience, while maintaining journalistic integrity and accuracy. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as data journalists often explain technical concepts to non-technical colleagues and integrate feedback throughout the publication process.

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

To thrive as a Data Journalist, you need strong analytical skills, news judgment, data analysis proficiency, and typically a background in journalism, statistics, or a related field. Familiarity with data visualization tools (like Tableau or Flourish), spreadsheet software, coding languages (such as Python or R), and data scraping techniques is highly valuable. Outstanding communication, curiosity, and attention to detail help you translate complex data into compelling, accessible stories. These skills ensure accuracy, clarity, and public engagement when reporting data-driven news.

What is the difference between Data Journalist vs Data Analyst?

AspectData JournalistData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in journalism, communications, or related field; knowledge of data visualization toolsBachelor's in statistics, mathematics, or related field; proficiency in data analysis software
Work EnvironmentMedia outlets, news organizations, online publicationsCorporations, consulting firms, research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageMedia and journalism industry, focusing on storytelling with dataBusiness, finance, healthcare, and other sectors analyzing data for insights

While both roles involve working with data, Data Journalists focus on storytelling and presenting data in a journalistic context, often for media outlets. Data Analysts primarily analyze data to generate insights for business decisions across various industries. The skills overlap in data visualization and analysis tools, but their end goals and work environments differ significantly.

Are data journalists in demand?

Data journalists are increasingly in demand as news organizations and media outlets seek professionals skilled in data analysis, visualization, and storytelling. Proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, and data visualization software enhances job prospects in this evolving field.

How do you become a data journalist?

To become a data journalist, you typically need a background in journalism or a related field, along with strong skills in data analysis, statistics, and visualization tools like Excel, SQL, or Tableau. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio of data-driven stories, and staying updated on data journalism techniques are also important steps.

How much does a data journalist make?

Data journalists typically earn a median salary ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in data analysis and visualization can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000.

What do data journalists do?

Data journalists analyze large datasets to uncover stories, trends, and insights, then present their findings through reports, articles, or visualizations. They often use tools like spreadsheets, data analysis software, and visualization programs to support investigative reporting and storytelling.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota?

For Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Data Journalist jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Data Journalist jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Data Journalist job openings:

Data Journalist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Journalist job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,724 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Audience Editor - Sports

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Star Tribune Media Company
1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Star Tribune Media Companyexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 159-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. Together, we are the heart and voice of the north.

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We’re seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state’s most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you.

We are seeking an Audience Editor for Sports at our headquarters in Minneapolis MN to help drive audience growth and engagement for one of the nation's most ambitious sports teams in news. 

This role will be embedded with the Sports desk and serve as the lead strategist for audience development. The Audience Editor will help shape coverage plans, storytelling approaches and maximize the reach of our journalism. This role will work closely with sports editors and reporters to identify and execute opportunities to expand our audience during big moments, daily coverage and enterprise storytelling. 

he right person for this job is deeply immersed in sports media and fan culture. You follow the Vikings, Timberwolves, Lynx, Twins, Wild and Gophers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, podcasts, newsletters, search and emerging platforms. You're fascinated by why certain stories and personalities break through while others don’t. You know how to reach both the diehard fan and the sports-culture curious.  

As part of the centralized Audience Team, this role gives Sports dedicated support while connecting the desk to shared audience expertise, broader newsroom strategy and best practices. This is a highly collaborative role that requires a nimble ability to work across teams.  

Responsibilities 

  • Serve as the lead audience strategist for the Sports desk, partnering with editors and reporters on coverage planning, story presentation and distribution. 
  • Use audience data, research, search trends and performance insights to help shape coverage decisions and identify opportunities for growth. 
  • Help the Sports team better understand priority audiences, including loyal subscribers, casual fans, team-specific audiences, younger readers and people discovering our journalism on new platforms. 
  • Advise on how Sports stories are framed, timed and presented across StarTribune.com, YouTube, search, newsletters, social media, mobile and other platforms. 
  • Partner with social media editors, newsletter producers and the homepage team to strengthen the reach and impact of Sports coverage, especially during breaking news and major sports moments. 
  • Identify opportunities to test new approaches to headlines, story formats, live coverage, video, newsletters and audience engagement, then help the desk apply what works. 
  • Collaborate with the centralized Audience Team to bring shared tools, expertise and best practices to Sports while contributing to a culture of experimentation, audience service and journalistic excellence. 

              Qualifications 

              • A bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. 
              • Minimum of 3 years of experience in audience development, digital journalism, sports journalism, social media, newsletters, analytics, SEO, product strategy or a related field. 
              • Strong understanding of audience behavior across digital platforms, including social media, newsletters, search, homepage, mobile and video experiences. 
              • Ability to analyze performance data and translate it into clear, actionable newsroom insights that inform coverage, framing and distribution strategy. 
              • Experience developing strategies that drive audience growth, subscriber value and engagement. 
              • Strong research skills, including the ability to synthesize multiple data sources into useful audience segments, trends and recommendations. 
              • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with editors, reporters and platform teams. 
              • Strong news judgment and an understanding of how sports audiences engage with breaking news, live events, analysis, features, personalities, enterprise journalism and community conversation. 
              • Knowledge of fan behavior, digital habits and the evolving ways audiences discover and build loyalty with sports journalism. 
              • Experience collaborating across editorial, product, social, newsletter, video or audience teams. 
              • Commitment to journalistic excellence, public service and audience-centered decision-making. 

                                  Preferred Qualifications

                                  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a newsroom, sports media, audience development or platform strategy role, especially with experience using data and research to grow and engage audiences. 
                                  • Experience training, coaching and developing journalists in audience growth, SEO, analytics and digital storytelling best practices. 
                                  • Familiarity with analytics tools and audience measurement platforms. 
                                  • Experience working on subscription-based or membership-driven media products. 
                                  • Familiarity with Minnesota sports audiences, fan communities or major sports coverage rhythms. 
                                  • Experience developing audience strategies that reach both loyal users and new or emerging audiences. 
                                  • Social media content creation and video editing experience is a definite plus. 

                                              Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 1 pm-10 pm. Schedules may need to be adjusted at times to accommodate the needs and coverage plans of the Sports Department. 

                                              To Apply: Upload a resume and a memo describing how you would approach the opportunity to drive audience engagement and growth across newsletters, podcasts and video for our Sports journalism. Please include any examples of audience strategies, products or initiatives you have helped develop and the impact they produced

                                              Questions? Contact Jess Bellville at jess.bellville@startribune.com.

                                              Compensation Range

                                              Annual pay range for this H-scale position is $92,890, as stated in the contract of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild.

                                              Compensation will depend on several factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

                                              The Minnesota Star Tribune offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401(K) match, healthcare coverage – medical, dental, and vision, life, disability, paid time off, and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at benefits.startribunecompany.com.

                                              More about The Minnesota Star Tribune

                                              At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here’s a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer: 

                                              • Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio. 
                                              • Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
                                              • Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days. 
                                              • Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement. 
                                              • Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts. 

                                              2025 award winner of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Media and News and proud recipient of Newsweek’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2025 recognition.  

                                              Equal Opportunity Employer

                                              Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

                                              Apply