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Political Reporter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fox

Political Reporter

Chicago, IL

$60 - $72/hr

FOX Chicago is seeking a dynamic and driven Political Reporter to lead coverage of local, state, and national politics with a strong emphasis on digital storytelling and audience engagement . This ...

Kdfw Fox 4

Political Reporter

Chicago, IL

$60 - $72/hr

FOX Chicago is seeking a dynamic and driven Political Reporter to lead coverage of local, state, and national politics with a strong emphasis on digital storytelling and audience engagement . This ...

FOX News Network, LLC

Political Reporter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60 - $72/hr

FOX Chicago is seeking a dynamic and driven Political Reporter to lead coverage of local, state, and national politics with a strong emphasis on digital storytelling and audience engagement . This ...

Hearst

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA

Public Safety Reporter The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an ambitious and versatile journalist to cover public safety in the Bay Area, taking a lead role in reporting on crime, policing ...

Hearst

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Public Safety Reporter The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an ambitious and versatile journalist to cover public safety in the Bay Area, taking a lead role in reporting on crime, policing ...

Hearst

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Public Safety Reporter The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an ambitious and versatile journalist to cover public safety in the Bay Area, taking a lead role in reporting on crime, policing ...

Hearst

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA

Public Safety Reporter The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an ambitious and versatile journalist to cover public safety in the Bay Area, taking a lead role in reporting on crime, policing ...

Hearst

Public Safety Reporter

San Francisco, CA

Public Safety Reporter The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an ambitious and versatile journalist to cover public safety in the Bay Area, taking a lead role in reporting on crime, policing ...

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Political Reporter information

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$19K

$61.1K

$96K

How much do political reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for political reporter in the United States is $61,112.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,000.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a political reporter do?

A political reporter covers news and events related to politics, government, and public policy. Their job involves researching and writing articles, conducting interviews with politicians and experts, attending press conferences, and analyzing political developments. Political reporters also fact-check information, provide context for ongoing events, and help inform the public about important political issues. They may work for newspapers, magazines, online media, or broadcast outlets, and often work under tight deadlines to deliver timely and accurate news.

What are some common challenges political reporters face when covering breaking news events?

Political reporters often face tight deadlines and the need to quickly verify facts when covering breaking news, especially during elections or major policy announcements. They must balance accuracy with speed, sometimes working late hours or on weekends to keep up with fast-changing developments. Additionally, maintaining impartiality and building trustworthy sources in a highly scrutinized field can be challenging, but these are essential for delivering reliable coverage. Team collaboration is key, as reporters frequently coordinate with editors, photographers, and fellow journalists to ensure comprehensive reporting.

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

To thrive as a Political Reporter, you need strong research, interviewing, and writing skills, typically supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or political science. Familiarity with content management systems, data analysis tools, and multimedia platforms is essential for timely and accurate reporting. Critical thinking, ethical judgment, and the ability to build relationships are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for delivering accurate, insightful, and trustworthy political news to the public.

What Does a Political Reporter Do?

A Political Reporter is a journalist who has the responsibility of documenting current events and issues of the day concerning local and federal government. You will tell these stories through the actions and perspectives of local, regional, national, or international elected officials and their allies and rivals. This can be communicated through print, television, radio, digital or other media. In some cases, you will be required to travel and cover certain events in person depending on your exact role. As a Political Reporter, you must be a skillful interviewer and researcher who is able to meet sometimes challenging deadlines. You should be a talented storyteller with the ability to stay neutral or to clearly deliver multiple viewpoints on each issue in fair and balanced coverage.

What is the difference between Political Reporter vs Political Correspondent?

AspectPolitical ReporterPolitical Correspondent
CredentialsJournalism degree, reporting experienceJournalism degree, reporting experience
Work EnvironmentNewsrooms, press conferences, on-the-ground reportingNewsrooms, live events, political campaigns
Employer & IndustryMedia outlets, newspapers, TV stationsMedia outlets, TV networks, online platforms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding political news coverageUnderstanding roles in political media coverage

Both Political Reporters and Political Correspondents work in political journalism, often covering similar topics. However, Political Reporters typically focus on reporting news stories and breaking political events, while Political Correspondents often provide in-depth analysis and live coverage from political events. Their roles overlap, but the main difference lies in their focus and style of reporting.

More about Political Reporter jobs
What cities are hiring for Political Reporter jobs? Cities with the most Political Reporter job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Political Reporter jobs? The top employers for Political Reporter jobs are:
What states have the most Political Reporter jobs? States with the most job openings for Political Reporter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Political Reporter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Political Reporter jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Political Reporter jobs? For Political Reporter jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Political Reporter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Political Reporter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,112 per year, or $29.4 per hour.
Political Reporter

Political Reporter

Fox

Chicago, IL

$60 - $72/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox TV StationsFOX Television Stations owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in 14 of the top 15 largest designated market areas, or DMAs, and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 18 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce approximately 1,200 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network's national content.JOB DESCRIPTION

FOX Chicago is seeking a dynamic and driven Political Reporter to lead coverage of local, state, and national politics with a strong emphasis on digital storytelling and audience engagement. This role requires a journalist who thrives on breaking news, holds public officials accountable, and delivers content across broadcast, web, mobile, and social platforms.

Key Responsibilities

  • Report, write, and deliver compelling political stories for daily newscasts and digital platforms
  • Develop and maintain relationships with sources within government, campaigns, and policy organizations
  • Produce in-depth enterprise and investigative political coverage
  • File quickly and accurately for FOXChicago.com, live blogs, and social media
  • Create digital-first content including articles, explainers, and video clips optimized for online audiences
  • Appear live on-air for breaking political coverage and analysis
  • Collaborate with producers, digital teams, and assignment editors to shape coverage
  • Use data, public records, and research tools to uncover impactful stories
  • Engage with viewers through social media platforms and community events
  • Monitor political trends and identify stories that resonate with a Chicago-area audience

Digital Responsibilities

  • Write and publish multiple web stories daily with SEO best practices
  • Produce short-form and long-form video content for digital platforms
  • Contribute to live streams, special coverage, and election night reporting
  • Leverage analytics tools to inform story decisions and audience growth
  • Maintain an active and professional social media presence (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
  • Experiment with new formats such as newsletters, podcasts, or explainers

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Political Science, or related field
  • 3-5+ years of reporting experience, preferably covering politics
  • Strong understanding of local, state, and national politics
  • Proven ability to break stories and cultivate sources
  • Excellent writing, live reporting, and storytelling skills
  • Experience publishing to digital platforms and CMS tools
  • Familiarity with SEO, social media strategy, and audience engagement
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom
  • Strong editorial judgment and commitment to journalistic ethics

Preferred Skills

  • Experience covering Chicago or Illinois politics
  • Multimedia skills (shooting/posting video on social media)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $60.00-72.00 per hour. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

View more detail about FOX Benefits.

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