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Magazine Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

PCI Productions LLC

Publications Specialist 2

Mclean, VA · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Position Summary The Publications Specialist II - Magazine Editor is responsible for the comprehensive lifecycle management and editorial excellence of the agency's magazine. This senior-level role ...

PCI Productions LLC

Publications Specialist 2

Mclean, VA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Position Summary The Publications Specialist II - Magazine Editor is responsible for the comprehensive lifecycle management and editorial excellence of the agency's magazine. This senior-level role ...

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All JobsMagazine JobsMagazine Jobs in Washington, DC

Magazine information

See Washington, DC salary details

$42.3K

$105.3K

$219.5K

How much do magazine jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for magazine in Washington, DC is $105,312.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,000.00 and $191,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are magazine jobs?

Magazine jobs refer to the various roles involved in the production, editing, design, and distribution of magazines. These can include editors, writers, photographers, graphic designers, advertising sales representatives, and circulation managers. Each role contributes to creating engaging content, ensuring visual appeal, and reaching the magazine's target audience. Magazine professionals often work in fast-paced environments and must keep up with industry trends and deadlines. Careers in magazines can be found at print and digital publications covering topics from fashion to news, lifestyle, and more.

What are different careers in the magazine industry?

Careers in the magazine industry support the various aspects of publication, including writing content, taking photographs, laying out content, inserting advertisements, and printing the magazine. They include roles like editors, journalists, social media managers, public relations, photographers, art directors, and advertising executives. Some positions involve producing and editing digital content for publication on websites. Publishing a successful magazine requires attention to the copy, art assets, audience interests, advertising needs, printing and distribution costs, and various other factors. Magazines tend to have specific styles, such as preferred colors, content, or methods of distribution, which can affect the way each job functions. For example, news magazines expect writers to use a journalistic tone while industrial trade magazines establish and maintain a sense of authority on their topic by using trade-specific language.

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

To thrive as a Magazine Editor, you need strong writing, editing, and content curation skills, often supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or English. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), Adobe InDesign, and digital publishing tools is typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills help you manage contributors, meet deadlines, and maintain editorial standards. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality, engaging content and ensuring the magazine’s success in a competitive media landscape.

What are some typical challenges faced by magazine editors when balancing creative content with deadlines?

Magazine editors often juggle the creative aspirations of their writers and designers with the practical constraints of strict publication deadlines. One common challenge is ensuring that high-quality, engaging content is produced on time without sacrificing editorial standards. Editors also manage multiple contributors and departments, requiring strong organizational and communication skills to keep everyone aligned. Effective time management and adaptability are crucial, as last-minute changes or unexpected events can arise frequently in the magazine publishing cycle.

What is the difference between Magazine vs Journalist?

AspectMagazineJournalist
Primary RolePublishes magazines, focusing on specific topics or audiencesResearches, writes, and reports news or stories for various media
Work EnvironmentEditorial offices, publishing houses, or freelanceNewsrooms, media outlets, or freelance
CredentialsOften requires journalism or communications degreeJournalism degree or related experience
Industry UsagePublishing industry, magazines, periodicalsMedia, news organizations, online platforms

While magazines focus on producing periodicals with curated content for specific audiences, journalists are responsible for researching and reporting news stories across various media. Both roles often require journalism credentials and work within the media industry, but magazines emphasize publication production, whereas journalists focus on news reporting.

More about Magazine jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Magazine jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Magazine jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Magazine jobs in Washington, DC?

For Magazine jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Magazine jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Magazine jobs in Washington, DC are:

Magazine jobs near you
Infographic showing various Magazine job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,312 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Publications Specialist II - Magazine Editor

Washington, DC • On-site

Vistra Communications LLC
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Vistra Communications LLCexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Description:

Vistra is seeking a Magazine Editor to be responsible for the comprehensive lifecycle management and editorial excellence of the agency’s magazine. The Editor ensures that the magazine is produced on time, follows rigorous quality standards, and effectively meets strategic communication objectives from initial content intake through final distribution.


This is an onsite position in either McLean, VA, or Washington, DC.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Oversee the complete magazine lifecycle, including establishing production schedules, managing the publication cycle, and systematically tracking article versions through a comprehensive approval chain.
  • Provide high-level editorial support, assisting with content development and the creation of promotional materials. Implement strict version control and quality assurance protocols throughout the editing and document production process
  • Serve as the primary liaison between writing/author teams and the layout/design teams
  • Manage complex review processes involving multiple stakeholders, including authors, technical reviewers, and legal counsel
  • Ensure all final articles and the complete magazine adhere to the GPO Style Manual, Chicago Manual of Style, and Section 508 accessibility requirements, and all necessary sign-offs and approvals are secured before public release
  • Manage the administrative aspects of distribution and formatting specifications to ensure the final product meets all organizational standards for professional release
  • Ensure that digital versions of the magazine are compliant with federal accessibility laws and standards (Section 508/WCAG)
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a closely related field
  • Master’s degree or equivalent advanced professional certification highly desirable
  • 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in editorial and publication management
  • Proven track record of overseeing the production of a periodical, preferably a technical or specialty publication (e.g., transportation or research journal)
  • Demonstrated expertise in the logistical administration and project management of quarterly publication cycles and high-level editorial services
  • Advanced proficiency in substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading
  • Deep understanding of Section 508 compliance and federal publishing standards
  • Ability to manage complex approval workflows and coordinate between technical and creative teams
  • Prior transportation experience a plus
  • Public Trust is required; Security Clearance is preferred.

About Vistra:  Vistra Communications, doing business as Vistra and Vistra Federal Solutions, is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Tampa, FL with an office in Alexandria, VA providing professional support serviced to Defense, Federal, and Civilian Agencies.  Approximately 25% of our “team member” employees work in the National Capital Region, providing communications, outreach, and organizational transformation services to our public sector customers.  Vistra provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Parental and Bereavement Leave, and Professional Development, among other benefits. 


US Citizenship Required: Due to the requirements of the federal contract that this position supports, U.S. citizenship is required. Citizenship will be confirmed via I-9/E-Verify at the start of employment.