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Education Reporter Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK , is seeking an experienced reporter with multimedia skills to advance our daily, enterprise and explanatory higher education coverage.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK , is seeking an experienced reporter with multimedia skills to advance our daily, enterprise and explanatory higher education coverage.

This reporter must demonstrate curiosity and be able to shift easily between different topics, such as the burden of student debt, interesting research, campus trends and education institutions ...

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

Local News Anchor Reporter Milwaukee WI, United States Do you want to join a premier multimedia ... Related experience and/or training considered as well as a combination of education and experience.

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Education Reporter information

See Wisconsin salary details

$11.1K

$51.3K

$74.7K

How much do education reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for education reporter in Wisconsin is $51,308.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20,200.00 and $68,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an education reporter do?

The job duties of an education reporter include working to cover educational stories and issues for a newspaper, radio, or television news company. You can also find work with news outlets on the web. In this career, your responsibilities include writing about or reporting on issues surrounding schools within your state, region, or school district. Depending on your employer, you may focus on public, private, or charter schools, or you may write about all different types of schools. The responsibilities of an education reporter usually require you to focus on K-12 education, though you may also cover higher education.

What does an education reporter do?

An education reporter is a journalist who specializes in covering news and stories related to schools, universities, education policy, and learning trends. They investigate and report on topics such as curriculum changes, school funding, standardized testing, and educational inequalities. Education reporters often interview teachers, students, administrators, and policymakers to provide in-depth coverage of issues impacting education at local, national, or international levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an education reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Education Reporter, you need strong writing, research, and interviewing skills, often supported by a degree in journalism or communications. Familiarity with digital publishing tools, data analysis software, and content management systems is typically required. Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to build relationships with sources are standout soft skills in this role. These capabilities are essential for producing accurate, insightful, and engaging coverage of education topics that inform and impact the public.

What are some common challenges faced by education reporters when covering sensitive issues in schools?

Education Reporters often encounter challenges such as gaining access to schools, earning the trust of students and staff, and navigating privacy laws like FERPA when reporting on sensitive topics. Balancing the need for accurate, impactful stories with ethical considerations and community sensitivities is crucial. Additionally, reporters must verify information from multiple sources and often work under tight deadlines, all while maintaining objectivity in potentially emotionally charged environments.

What is the difference between Education Reporter vs Education Journalist?

AspectEducation ReporterEducation Journalist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in journalism, communications, or related fieldsSimilar credentials, often with additional specialization in education topics
Work EnvironmentWorks for newspapers, TV stations, online media covering education newsWorks in media outlets, often producing in-depth articles or features on education
Employer & IndustryMedia companies, news organizations focused on education coverageMedia outlets, education-focused publications, online platforms
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles in education news reportingPeople seeking detailed education-related journalism careers

Both Education Reporters and Education Journalists work within media organizations to cover education topics. The main difference lies in the scope: Education Reporters often focus on news and current events, while Education Journalists may produce more in-depth features and analysis. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, making them closely related in the media industry.

What are popular job titles related to Education Reporter jobs in WI?

For Education Reporter jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Education Reporter job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,308 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Gannett rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 78 rated media


Job description

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an experienced reporter with multimedia skills to advance our daily, enterprise and explanatory higher education coverage. Our aim is to deepen and grow our connection with our audience, fully tapping into stories that resonate with students, parents, employers, taxpayers, faculty and administrators.
 
Coverage includes public and private four-year colleges and universities as well as technical colleges — a broad range of stories requiring a mix of interests and skills. In Wisconsin, the state’s university system is at a pivotal point, as it copes with turnover in three key roles: the system president, chancellor of the state’s flagship university in Madison and athletic director.
 
The ideal candidate will be able to understand budgets and funding, explain policy concerns and navigate the political and demographic changes that are creating a period of upheaval in higher education.
 
This reporter must demonstrate curiosity and be able to shift easily between different topics, such as the burden of student debt, interesting research, campus trends and education institutions’ efforts to reimagine their mission. 
 
Success in the job will require:
  • Effort in reaching new audiences. We need someone who can mix creative stories aimed at drawing new readers and in-depth enterprise that will satisfy longtime subscribers.
  • Flexibility in how to approach stories. We need someone comfortable telling stories via text, audio and video, and able to identify the right format for each story. The reporter should be able to tell stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for and always with accuracy.
  • Familiarity with the demands of a digital world. We need someone who can ensure content is optimized with strong headlines, links, video and photo galleries, aware of the contribution strong SEO can play in reaching our readers.
  • Commitment to diversity in topics and sources. We need someone who sees all facets of higher education and how it intersects with people of different backgrounds.
  • We're looking for someone who can smoothly partner with other reporters when stories touch multiple beats, bringing greater context to our readers. 
  • Patience and drive in creating a rich source network. We need someone who is able to put issues in state and national context. 
  • Ability to step back and see larger stories, and put issues in state and national context. We need someone who can maintain the rhythm of a daily beat while recognizing topics that are ripe for broader exploration or investigation.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of three years of reporting experience.
  • Strong command of newswriting grammar and style.
  • Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
  • Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
  • Is comfortable using social media platforms to enhance reporting and deliver stories.
  • Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
  • Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
  • Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
  • Must be willing to travel on short notice to cover breaking news events.
  • This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, please submit: 

  1. Your resume – one to two pages.
  2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
  3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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