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Freelance Video Journalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Video Journalist, International

New York, NY · On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The New York Times International desk is looking for a Video Journalist to produce and edit stories ... freelancers when necessary. * Proven ability to meet deadlines and adapt to change within an ...

Video Journalist, NYT Cooking

New York, NY · On-site

$113K - $132K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with team members and freelancers to create videos at a level consistent with The Times ... documentary video journalism specifically. * Clear understanding of video platform analytics ...

Video Journalist, International

New York, NY · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The New York Times International desk is looking for a Video Journalist to produce and edit stories ... freelancers when necessary. * Proven ability to meet deadlines and adapt to change within an ...

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR We seek a talented and versatile Freelance Multimedia Journalist to join ... Utilize advanced video editing and audio production skills to create polished and visually ...

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR We seek a talented and versatile Freelance Multimedia Journalist to join ... Utilize advanced video editing and audio production skills to create polished and visually ...

Freelance Photojournalist

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$65.50 - $74/hr

Works independently and as a team to capture and edit video * Shoots and edits news events on ... Ensures that all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality ...

Freelance Photojournalist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$65.50 - $74/hr

Works independently and as a team to capture and edit video * Shoots and edits news events on ... Ensures that all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality ...

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Freelance Video Journalist information

See salary details

$49K

$57.5K

$64.5K

How much do freelance video journalist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance video journalist in the United States is $57,499.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance video journalist?

A freelance video journalist is an independent professional who researches, films, edits, and reports news stories or documentaries using video. Unlike staff journalists, they work on a project or assignment basis for various media outlets such as TV channels, online news platforms, or production companies. Freelance video journalists are responsible for finding their own stories, pitching ideas to editors, and often handling all aspects of production themselves. This role requires strong storytelling, videography, and editing skills, as well as the ability to work independently and under tight deadlines.

What is the difference between Freelance Video Journalist vs Freelance Video Reporter?

AspectFreelance Video JournalistFreelance Video Reporter
CredentialsRelevant journalism or media experience, portfolioSimilar journalism background, often with reporting samples
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-locationField-based, on-location reporting, often live or recorded
Industry UsageMedia outlets, online platforms, news agenciesNews organizations, local and national media outlets

Both roles involve creating video content for news and media, but a Freelance Video Journalist typically produces in-depth stories or documentaries, while a Freelance Video Reporter focuses on timely news coverage and live reporting. The main difference lies in the scope and immediacy of their work, though both require strong journalism skills and video production expertise.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Video Journalist, you need strong storytelling, video production, and journalism skills, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Mastery of cameras, editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, and familiarity with digital publishing platforms are essential. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and self-motivation distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure you can produce compelling, high-quality content independently and respond effectively to rapidly changing news environments.

What are some common challenges freelance video journalists face when working on assignments independently?

Freelance video journalists often encounter challenges such as securing access to story subjects or locations, managing tight deadlines, and handling all aspects of production—from shooting and editing to pitching stories. Unlike staff journalists, freelancers are responsible for their own equipment, travel logistics, and safety, which can be demanding, especially when covering breaking news or sensitive topics. Building a reliable network for support and staying adaptable are crucial for overcoming these obstacles and delivering compelling stories.
More about Freelance Video Journalist jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Video Journalist jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Video Journalist job openings:

What states have the most Freelance Video Journalist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Video Journalist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Freelance Video Journalist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,499 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Video Journalist, International

The New York Times

New York, NY • On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It's why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It's why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it's why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it's worth paying for.
The New York Times International desk is looking for a Video Journalist to produce and edit stories with multimedia correspondents. You will join a team tasked with creating new approaches to our international reporting in video, working with a growing group of foreign correspondents who work in video as well as text.
The goal is to help our audience understand the world through powerful video stories, reaching our core audience as well as new viewers who increasingly consume journalism in video. We will experiment with a mix of direct, immersive vertical video forms that can bring our audience with us on the ground.
You will join a multi-disciplinary team of video journalists that will shape this work. This role is based in our New York office, working remotely with correspondents in the field to produce, edit and publish stories. You should have a refined understanding of video production and storytelling, including video editing, shooting and writing for narration, with a clear sense for how to creatively use graphics and animation to illustrate complex ideas.
Your news judgement about what makes a good story in video will be crucial, as will creative ideas for how to reenvision the basic elements of foreign correspondence, across news, features and analysis. You must be an effective collaborator and a strong communicator who can work closely with regional editors and video colleagues to shape our approach to this coverage.
This position is based in New York and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week.
Responsibilities:
  • Write, produce, edit and publish videos with hybrid correspondents, in close partnership with regional editors.
  • Devise new approaches to digital video storytelling both on and off platform.
  • Work with correspondents to create a playbook for how to cover a region or beat in video.
  • Collaborate closely with International editors, correspondents and video colleagues.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • The role reports to the Senior Producer, International in New York.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 4+ years of video storytelling, video editing and production experience at a news organization.
  • A strong portfolio, preferably of inventive short-form video.
  • Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
  • Broad knowledge of current events and news.
  • Deep curiosity about video habits and users and platforms.
  • Hands-on experience in the trenches of production, including editing, shooting and field production.
  • The ability to edit quickly and accurately with Adobe Premiere.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience covering international news.
  • Foreign language fluency.
  • Strong experience with archival research, including sourcing and clearing user-generated video content.
  • Fluency with animation and motion graphics as an integral part of your script writing process.
  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage field crews and hire and manage freelancers when necessary.
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines and adapt to change within an unpredictable news and production environment.
  • A record of working with teams of journalists in difficult field assignments.
  • High creative standards and a drive to push work to its best possible form.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.
In order to be considered for this role, please submit your resume, cover letter and link to your portfolio.
REQ-020295
Additional Compensation and Benefits
For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.
The annual base pay range for this role is between:
$113,271-$136,000 USD
Candidate Use of GenAI Tools:
We're excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.
If you're an engineering candidate, we'll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.
The New York Times Company is committed to being the world's best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)'s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.
The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email reasonable.accommodations@nytimes.com. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
For information about The New York Times' privacy practices for job applicants, click here.
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