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Independent Journalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Studio Video Journalist

New York, NY ยท On-site

$113.27K - $132K/yr

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 ...

Journalist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

Journalist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

... independently and in teams to develop and carry out effective organizational structure and work ... The Journalist position will be responsible for the strategic development of all written documents ...

Journalist

Salem, OR ยท On-site

... independent nation wide tours. Follow us IG: @damaddhouze Twitter: @damaddhouze Facebook ... Qualifications Requirements: * 1-3 year(s) experience working as a journalist or reporter. * A ...

Journalist

Salem, OR ยท On-site

... independent nation wide tours. Follow us IG: @damaddhouze Twitter: @damaddhouze Facebook ... Qualifications Requirements: * 1-3 year(s) experience working as a journalist or reporter. * A ...

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Independent Journalist information

See salary details

$30K

$61K

$131K

How much do independent journalist jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent journalist in the United States is $60,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Independent Journalist, you need strong research abilities, excellent writing skills, and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics, often supported by a degree in journalism or communications. Familiarity with content management systems, digital publishing tools, and multimedia editing software is typically required. Curiosity, persistence, and effective networking are essential soft skills that set successful independent journalists apart. These competencies are crucial for producing credible, engaging stories and building a trustworthy reputation in a competitive media landscape.

What are some common challenges independent journalists face when building a network of sources?

Independent journalists often encounter obstacles when establishing a reliable network of sources, such as building trust without the backing of a major media outlet and gaining access to exclusive information. They need to be persistent, transparent, and ethical to foster strong relationships with sources while ensuring confidentiality and accuracy. Leveraging professional associations, attending relevant events, and utilizing social media platforms can help expand their network, but it often requires significant time and proactive communication.

What is an independent journalist?

An independent journalist is a reporter or writer who operates without long-term affiliation to a specific news organization. They often work as freelancers, pitching stories to various media outlets, or publish content on their own platforms such as blogs, podcasts, or social media. Independent journalists are responsible for researching, reporting, and fact-checking their own work, and they typically cover stories that may be overlooked by mainstream media. This autonomy allows them to pursue niche topics or underreported issues, but it also means they must handle their own finances, marketing, and ethical standards.

What is the difference between Independent Journalist vs Freelance Writer?

AspectIndependent JournalistFreelance Writer
CredentialsJournalism degree or experience, sometimes certificationsNo specific credentials required, writing skills emphasized
Work EnvironmentNewsrooms, on-the-ground reporting, media outletsHome office, client sites, online platforms
Employer/Industry UsageMedia organizations, news agencies, online newsBusinesses, magazines, websites, marketing firms

While both roles involve writing, Independent Journalists focus on reporting news and investigative stories often for media outlets, requiring journalism credentials and fieldwork. Freelance Writers create a variety of content for clients, emphasizing versatility and writing skills without necessarily reporting news. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the media industry.

More about Independent Journalist jobs
What cities are hiring for Independent Journalist jobs? Cities with the most Independent Journalist job openings:
What states have the most Independent Journalist jobs? States with the most job openings for Independent Journalist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Independent Journalist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Independent Journalist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Independent Journalist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 36% As Needed, 13% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 13% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,979 per year, or $29.3 per hour.
Senior Video Journalist, NYT Magazine

Senior Video Journalist, NYT Magazine

The New York Times

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$124.98K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 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 is continuing to expand its video journalism, identifying compelling visual stories across the depth and breadth of our report. We showcase the expertise of Times journalists on-camera, share urgent news updates, produce on-the-ground reporting, pioneering Visual Investigations, and video podcasts.
The New York Times Magazine is looking for an experienced Senior Video Journalist to produce, edit and publish short- and long-form videos that support the magazine's storytelling. This role is for a journalist with a refined understanding of video production and storytelling, including video editing, shooting, writing for narration and social copy, with a clear sense for how to creatively use graphics and animation to illustrate complex ideas. Ideal candidates should have knowledge and expertise in magazine journalism and should know how to translate the unique sensibilities of the magazine into compelling and sophisticated video stories.
You will create short-form video columns that run weekly and monthly. You have a strong grasp of mobile video storytelling, with solid technical skills in shooting, editing and producing video. You thrive on working on small or large teams and juggling multiple projects with varying deadlines.
This is an in-office position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.
Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate with the Senior Producer, the Video desk and magazine editors to create video shows for the magazine.
  • Script, produce, edit and publish a formatted series of vertical videos.
  • Work with cinematographers, video editors and other collaborators, both internally and externally to execute video projects.
  • Work closely with video leaders and magazine staff to ensure our work follows newsroom standards.
  • 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.
  • This role reports to the Senior Producer, Magazine in NYC.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of journalism experience, including multimedia storytelling, video editing and production experience at a major news organization or production company.
  • Experience creating original videos that incorporate audio, video, still images, graphics and text.
  • Excellent news judgment and reporting, with a proven ability to work with colleagues and other reporters to synthesize newsgathering and/or investigations into a tight, informative and engaging video.
  • Video editing skills with Adobe Premiere
  • Facility in using photo, video, audio, graphics and animation in storytelling.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Able to meet deadlines and adapt to change within an unpredictable news and production environment.
  • Design and animation skills including experience with design and animation software (Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop and After Effects) and a clear grasp of typography, layout, color, motion, and behavior would be a bonus.
  • Experience working collaboratively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Experience producing shoots and interviewing experts on camera.
  • A passion for magazine journalism.
  • Available to work a flexible schedule.
  • Experience making quick decisions under deadlines and a high-pressure newsroom environment.

Applications without links to video portfolios/work samples will not be considered.
This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.
REQ-019213
The annual base pay range for this role is between:
$124,979.94-$152,000 USD
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, 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 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.
The Company encourages those with criminal histories to apply, and will consider their applications in a manner consistent with applicable "Fair Chance" laws, including but not limited to the NYC Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act.
For information about The New York Times' privacy practices for job applicants click here.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings. Scammers may post fraudulent job opportunities, and they may even make fraudulent employment offers. This is done by bad actors to collect personal information and money from victims. All legitimate job opportunities from The New York Times will be accessible through The New York Times careers site. The New York Times will not ask job applicants for financial information or for payment, and will not refer you to a third party to do so. You should never send money to anyone who suggests they can provide employment with The New York Times.
If you see a fake or fraudulent job posting, or if you suspect you have received a fraudulent offer, you can report it to The New York Times at NYTapplicants@nytimes.com. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission or your state attorney general.