1

Journalist Reporter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Business Reporter

Santa Barbara, CA ยท On-site

$28 - $34/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Business Reporter, Newswell You will join the Santa Barbara News-Press as a dedicated business ... This is a role for a journalist who can move quickly on business news while developing deeper ...

Reporter

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$80K - $90K/yr

The reporter would be responsible for writing several original web stories per week and produce in ... Experience in business journalism is a plus. Job Responsibilities: Contribute three to six original ...

The reporter would be responsible for writing several original web stories per week and produce in ... Experience in business journalism is a plus. Job Responsibilities: Contribute three to six original ...

KQED reporters are expected to produce journalism across all platforms, including audio and text, as well as social and other media. Reporters must be proficient at spots, features, cut-and-copy ...

Reporter, Arts & Culture

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$44.71 - $52.88/hr

KQED reporters are expected to produce journalism across all platforms, including audio and text, as well as social and other media. Reporters must be proficient at spots, features, cut-and-copy ...

Night Reporter

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$26 - $35.50/hr

This essential role requires an experienced journalist with deep versatility who is comfortable juggling multiple stories and collaborating with colleagues. This reporter must be a self-starter who ...

Night Reporter

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$32.90 - $43.27/hr

This essential role requires an experienced journalist with deep versatility who is comfortable juggling multiple stories and collaborating with colleagues. This reporter must be a self-starter who ...

Night Reporter

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$32.90 - $43.27/hr

This essential role requires an experienced journalist with deep versatility who is comfortable juggling multiple stories and collaborating with colleagues. This reporter must be a self-starter who ...

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're looking for a journalist who can develop sources within law enforcement agencies, the defense ... Reporters at The Chronicle seek to provide must-read, best-in-class coverage through spot news ...

News Reporter

Fresno, CA ยท On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The reporter collects, analyzes and presents facts about newsworthy events by interview ... Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of ...

News Reporter

Fresno, CA ยท On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The reporter collects, analyzes and presents facts about newsworthy events by interview ... Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of ...

The reporter collects, analyzes and presents facts about newsworthy events by interview ... Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of ...

Senior Reporter, California Post

Los Angeles, CA

$26.50 - $35.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

This is a role for a reporter who does not just cover the news but defines it, delivering ... This position calls for a versatile journalist with strong instincts across a range of hard-news ...

New

AI Reporter

San Francisco, CA

$140K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

AI reporter The Wall Street Journal is seeking a nimble, hungry reporter to join our ambitious tech ... At least five years of professional journalism and preferably three years of experience covering ...

Showing results 21-40

Journalist Reporter information

See California salary details

$13

$18

$22

How much do journalist reporter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for journalist reporter in California is $18.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $20.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a journalist reporter do?

A Journalist Reporter investigates, researches, and writes news stories for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, or radio. They gather information through interviews, observation, and reviewing documents, then present facts in a clear, accurate, and engaging manner for the public. Reporters often cover specific beats such as politics, sports, or local news, and may work under tight deadlines to deliver timely information. Their work plays a crucial role in informing the public and holding individuals and institutions accountable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a journalist reporter?

To thrive as a Journalist Reporter, you need strong research, writing, and interviewing skills, typically supported by a degree in journalism or communications. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), digital editing tools, and multimedia platforms is often required. Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are standout soft skills in this field. These qualities are crucial for producing accurate, engaging news stories and adapting to the fast-paced, evolving nature of the media industry.

What are some common challenges journalist reporters face when covering breaking news stories?

Journalist Reporters often encounter challenges such as tight deadlines, rapidly changing information, and the need to verify facts quickly when covering breaking news. They may also have to work in unpredictable or high-pressure environments and coordinate closely with editors, photographers, and field producers to ensure accurate and timely reporting. Developing reliable sources and maintaining ethical standards under pressure are key aspects of managing these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Journalist Reporter vs News Anchor?

AspectJournalist ReporterNews Anchor
CredentialsJournalism degree, reporting experienceJournalism degree, on-air presentation skills
Work EnvironmentField reporting, newsroom researchStudio broadcasting, live presentation
Industry UsageWriting stories, investigating newsDelivering news to viewers

Journalist Reporters focus on researching, investigating, and writing news stories, often working in the field. News Anchors primarily present news stories on television or radio, often in a studio setting. Both roles require journalism credentials, but their work environments and daily tasks differ significantly, with reporters being more investigative and on-location, while anchors focus on delivering news to audiences.

What are popular job titles related to Journalist Reporter jobs in California?

For Journalist Reporter jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Journalist Reporter jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Journalist Reporter jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Journalist Reporter jobs?

Cities in California with the most Journalist Reporter job openings:

Infographic showing various Journalist Reporter job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,587 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Business Reporter

NEWSWELL

Santa Barbara, CA โ€ข On-site

$28 - $34/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Business Reporter, Newswell
You will join the Santa Barbara News-Press as a dedicated business reporter, covering the companies, organizations, industries, workers, entrepreneurs, real estate trends, and economic forces shaping Santa Barbara County, with a primary focus on the South Coast communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.
Your reporting will center on timely, useful and original local business journalism: weekly business briefs, profiles, accountability stories, explanatory reporting and longer-form enterprise work that helps readers understand what is changing in the local economy - and why it matters.
At the Santa Barbara News-Press, you'll be part of a growing start-up newsroom rebuilding local journalism with urgency, credibility and relevance. You'll cover a wide range of stories across Santa Barbara County contributing original reporting that is engaging, accessible and rooted in the people, place and institutions that drive our regional economy.
This is a role for a journalist who can move quickly on business news while developing deeper sources and enterprise stories. You should be comfortable covering small and large businesses, commercial real estate, tourism and hospitality, restaurants and retail, technology and startups, agriculture and wine, labor and workforce issues, economic development, housing and development, public-private partnerships, local government decisions affecting business, and the broader cost pressures facing employers, workers and consumers.
You'll pursue breaking news, daily and weekly beat stories, enterprise reporting, narrative features, data journalism, investigations and shoot short-form vertical video for social-first stories. You'll spend a significant portion of your time out in the community, on the street and in the field, talking to people.
The pay scale for this position ranges from $28.00 - $34.00/hour.
What you'll own
You will anchor a dedicated Business reporting beat for the News-Press, contributing strong original reporting across media formats, including:
  • Daily and weekly beat stories and regular news digests
  • Features, breaking news and developing stories
  • Data journalism, explanatory pieces and investigations

What you'll do
Report and write
  • Develop and report original stories through on-the-ground reporting
  • Write clear, accurate, well-structured stories on deadline
  • File breaking news quickly while maintaining accuracy and fairness
  • Follow stories beyond the news cycle for in-depth "day two" coverage
  • Develop long-form, investigative and explanatory features

Work across formats
  • Contribute through written text and photos
  • Shoot short-form video for publishing across multiple platforms
  • Work with editors and colleagues to adapt reporting for different platforms
  • Present at periodic in-person News-Press events focusing on business topics

Collaborate in a modern newsroom
  • Work closely with editors, fellow reporters and visual journalists
  • Participate in story meetings and contribute ideas
  • Be open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement
  • Occasionally cover general assignment stories or breaking news as needed

You should have
  • A minimum of three years of professional reporting experience in Business topics.
  • Excellent reporting and writing skills
  • Proficiency in understanding, analyzing, and presenting data in an understandable way.
  • Experience and comfort publishing stories in short-form vertical video format
  • A degree in journalism or college-level journalism coursework

It's a plus if you have
  • A minimum of five years professional reporting experience and/or academic background in Business-related disciplines.
  • Familiarity with digital publishing workflows
  • Spanish language speaking and writing skills
  • Preference for someone living in the Santa Barbara area

Why this role matters
You will be a core member of a growing team working to transform the 158-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press into an innovative digital-first local news outlet. This role exists to provide strong foundational reporting on the most important news of Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast via timely, fact-based storytelling that resonates with our local community. You are here to build the news and information infrastructure for a people and a place.
Benefits
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
  • 22 days of vacation time
  • 11 holidays, including your birthday
  • Parental leave
  • Significant tuition reductions
  • Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
  • $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

How to Apply
Please include:
  • A written resume
  • Clips or links to recent written reporting (ideally five to eight pieces that together showcase your editorial range across different types of articles, ex. daily news, longform, profile, analysis, etc.
  • Clips or links to any video or audio news stories you have produced or been a part of producing
  • A note on your journalistic background, professional aspirations in this role, interest in covering the greater Santa Barbara community and why the News-Press would be a good fit (max. 1 written page)

Please assemble these materials into a single document and upload them in PDF format.
This position is fully in-person, excepting that your reporting responsibilities will require you to travel throughout the county and may mean you are not in the office every day. Reporters must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle in good working condition, with suitable auto insurance coverage. Occasional night and weekend work is required.
NEWSWELL is an Equal Opportunity Employer