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Newspaper Staff Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Capital One National Association

... staff writer for a media organization, newspaper, magazine, or editorial website At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position. McLean, VA ...

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Newspaper Staff Writer information

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$31.5K

$54.8K

$76.5K

How much do newspaper staff writer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for newspaper staff writer in the United States is $54,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a newspaper staff writer?

Newspaper Staff Writers are journalists employed by newspapers to research, write, and report news stories on a variety of topics, such as local events, politics, business, and culture. Their responsibilities include interviewing sources, gathering information, fact-checking, and meeting tight deadlines to provide accurate and engaging content. Staff writers often specialize in certain beats or topics, collaborate with editors and photographers, and play a key role in keeping the public informed. Their work typically appears as articles, features, or columns in print and online editions of newspapers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a newspaper staff writer?

To thrive as a Newspaper Staff Writer, you need excellent writing, research, and interviewing skills, typically supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with digital content management systems, AP Style, and multimedia tools like photo or video editing software is often required. Curiosity, deadline-driven organization, and strong interpersonal communication help a writer excel in fast-paced newsroom environments. These competencies ensure accurate, engaging reporting and adaptability in meeting the evolving needs of modern news media.

What are some common challenges faced by newspaper staff writers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Newspaper staff writers often face tight deadlines, the need to quickly adapt to breaking news, and the challenge of maintaining accuracy under pressure. Balancing multiple assignments and responding promptly to editors' feedback are also typical aspects of the role. Effective time management, strong organizational skills, and open communication with editors and colleagues are essential for navigating these challenges. Building a reliable network of sources and staying up-to-date on current events can also help writers deliver timely, high-quality articles.

What is the difference between Newspaper Staff Writer vs Freelance Journalist?

AspectNewspaper Staff WriterFreelance Journalist
CredentialsTypically a degree in journalism or related fieldVaries; often self-taught or with relevant experience
Work EnvironmentEmployed by a newspaper or media organizationIndependent, working on multiple clients or projects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in traditional media outletsUsed across diverse media platforms, including online
Work StyleRegular hours, assigned beats or topicsFlexible schedule, self-directed assignments

While both roles involve reporting and writing news stories, a Newspaper Staff Writer is employed by a media organization with a fixed schedule and assigned beats. In contrast, a Freelance Journalist works independently, managing their own assignments and clients. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and work preferences in journalism.

What cities are hiring for Newspaper Staff Writer jobs?

Cities with the most Newspaper Staff Writer job openings:

What states have the most Newspaper Staff Writer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Newspaper Staff Writer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Newspaper Staff Writer jobs?

For Newspaper Staff Writer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Newspaper Staff Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Newspaper Staff Writer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,789 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Staff Writer, Congressional Leadership

Washington, DC

FiscalNote
Software Development • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about FiscalNoteexternal

$75K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the Position
CQ Roll Call seeks an experienced, versatile and motivated journalist to join a team of reporters covering the elected leadership of the House factions, caucuses and group dynamics. This is a role for someone who can generate distinctive coverage for a sophisticated audience. The ideal candidate has excellent news judgment, superior writing and reporting skills, and a strong record of breaking news and developing sources. You can connect the dots and can balance spot news and unique enterprise. Experience covering Congress strongly preferred.
 
About the CQ Roll Call Team

Washington's CQ Roll Call brings up-to-date news, analysis and insights to senior decision-makers on Capitol Hill. This trusted source of unbiased, impartial information provides authoritative, nonpartisan and accurate congressional news and legislative tracking tools to its subscribers. Through more than 40 print and online products, CQ Roll Call offers insight on the people and institutions that influence public policy and legislation, keeping readers updated on a weekly, daily and real-time basis with coverage of every legislative action in Congress via breaking news, bill tracking and member profiles. 

 
About You
You report and write for a sophisticated audience interested in politics and policy, pursuing the truth from a variety of sources and reflecting their positions with impartiality. Collaborative yet independent, you know when to work with colleagues and when to break out stories on your own. You uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, probing beneath the surface of official statements to uncover the deeper story. Committed to continuous professional growth and engagement within a broader community of journalists, you contribute meaningfully to the shared goals and success of the newsroom team.
 
Application Requirements: 

All applicants must submit four (4) published writing samples from newspapers, news websites or news magazines that demonstrate reporting and writing ability. When submitting stories, please include a note about your work: What sets it apart from other coverage? What does it illustrate about your approach to journalism? The work samples can be uploaded as documents or provided as direct links that are not password-protected.

 
The position is based in Washington, DC and requires daily reporting from the Capitol. The base salary range for this position is $75,000 - 80,000 per year.
 
#LI-HR1
What to Expect in This Role
  • Producing a daily story of the day about congressional leaders and their strategies and messaging, as well as contributing to other teams' stories and medium- and long-term enterprise reports
  • Thriving in a newsroom where journalism is produced for two websites, one subscriber-focused on policy, and the other a broader political audience; a newspaper that publishes when Congress is in session; and dozens of newsletters in front of and behind a paywall
  • Contributing to both CQ and Roll Call newsletters as well as prominent space in Roll Call print, contributing to legislative tracking as needed (markups and vote entry) as well as major legislation and nominations
  • Writing and analysis of annual CQ Vote Studies reports
  • Working with the White House correspondent on the relationship between the executive and legislative leaders
  • Collaborating on photo/visuals, graphics, podcasts and other storytelling forms to enhance your reporting
  • Writing profile stories about members of the House and Senate, particularly leaders and prominent caucus and faction leaders and other lawmakers and congressional candidates that feed CQ's Guide to the New Congress and other products about members
  • Participating in webinars and other corporate activities to amplify your journalism
What Sets You Apart
  • 3+ years of experience as a reporter at newspapers, news websites, magazines, wire services and other news outlets.
  • Experience in Washington, D.C., for a subscription news outlet, wire service or news bureau covering Congress is strongly recommended
  • An ability to find new, creative ways to scrutinize the relationships among Congress, the White House, judicial branch and lobbying efforts to influence them
  • A college degree is helpful but not essential. Equivalent, relevant work experience is what matters
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and mastery of AP style
  • Strong understanding of congressional procedure and history and culture and the ability to convey your passion for the subject to readers
  • A commitment to the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness and editorial independence
Excited about this role, but don't meet 100% of the expected qualifications listed above? We'd still love for you to apply! 
When applying to FiscalNote, rest assured that your application is reviewed by a living, breathing human being and evaluated based on key competencies needed for success in the position. Our Recruiting team maintains awareness of all open roles which means your application may be assessed against multiple positions and we will reach out to gauge your interest in other opportunities as appropriate. Questions or concerns? Contact recruiting.team@fiscalnote.com, we'd be happy to connect!
 
As part of FiscalNote's commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process, we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with medical conditions or disabilities that will enable their access to the hiring process. If you need an accommodation, please send an email to recruiting.team@fiscalnote.com to let us know the nature of your request.
 
About FiscalNote 
FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leader in policy and global intelligence. By uniquely combining data, technology, and insights, FiscalNote empowers customers with critical insights and the tools to turn them into action.
 
Home to CQ, FrontierView, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote helps organizations stay ahead of political and business risk.
 
At FiscalNote, We Lead with Values
Know your Audience Find the Truth Drive Alignment Level Up Own the Job Bias for Action Support the Family 
 
Company Benefits
FiscalNote supports our people by enabling team members with flexibility and benefits to promote well-being and balance, ensuring all FiscalNoters can bring their authentic selves to work. We start by offering competitive salaries, retirement accounts, and equity packages to ensure we're all FN owners. Plus, our comprehensive benefits packages align with regional requirements and expectations no matter where you are located across the globe. Learn more at https://careers.fiscalnote.com/benefits/.
 
FiscalNote values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. FiscalNote is an EEOC employer.
 
FiscalNote uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.DHS.gov/E-Verify.
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