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Political Reporter Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

gannett

Education Reporter

Milwaukee, WI

... the political and demographic changes that are creating a period of upheaval in higher education ... This reporter must demonstrate curiosity and be able to shift easily between different topics, such ...

gannett

Education Reporter

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

... the political and demographic changes that are creating a period of upheaval in higher education ... This reporter must demonstrate curiosity and be able to shift easily between different topics, such ...

Gannett Co., Inc.

Education Reporter

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

... reporter with multimedia skills to advance our daily, enterprise and explanatory higher education ... the political and demographic changes that are creating a period of upheaval in higher education.

All JobsPolitical Reporter JobsPolitical Reporter Jobs in Wisconsin

Political Reporter information

See Wisconsin salary details

$17.4K

$55.8K

$87.7K

How much do political reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for political reporter in Wisconsin is $55,803.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31,959.00 and $76,703.00 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 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 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 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 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.

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Political Reporter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Political Reporter job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,803 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Education Reporter

gannett

Milwaukee, WI

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Gannett rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 78 rated media

Job description

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an experienced reporter with multimedia skills to advance our daily, enterprise and explanatory higher education coverage. Our aim is to deepen and grow our connection with our audience, fully tapping into stories that resonate with students, parents, employers, taxpayers, faculty and administrators.
 
Coverage includes public and private four-year colleges and universities as well as technical colleges — a broad range of stories requiring a mix of interests and skills. In Wisconsin, the state’s university system is at a pivotal point, as it copes with turnover in three key roles: the system president, chancellor of the state’s flagship university in Madison and athletic director.
 
The ideal candidate will be able to understand budgets and funding, explain policy concerns and navigate the political and demographic changes that are creating a period of upheaval in higher education.
 
This reporter must demonstrate curiosity and be able to shift easily between different topics, such as the burden of student debt, interesting research, campus trends and education institutions’ efforts to reimagine their mission. 
 
Success in the job will require:
  • Effort in reaching new audiences. We need someone who can mix creative stories aimed at drawing new readers and in-depth enterprise that will satisfy longtime subscribers.
  • Flexibility in how to approach stories. We need someone comfortable telling stories via text, audio and video, and able to identify the right format for each story. The reporter should be able to tell stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for and always with accuracy.
  • Familiarity with the demands of a digital world. We need someone who can ensure content is optimized with strong headlines, links, video and photo galleries, aware of the contribution strong SEO can play in reaching our readers.
  • Commitment to diversity in topics and sources. We need someone who sees all facets of higher education and how it intersects with people of different backgrounds.
  • We're looking for someone who can smoothly partner with other reporters when stories touch multiple beats, bringing greater context to our readers. 
  • Patience and drive in creating a rich source network. We need someone who is able to put issues in state and national context. 
  • Ability to step back and see larger stories, and put issues in state and national context. We need someone who can maintain the rhythm of a daily beat while recognizing topics that are ripe for broader exploration or investigation.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of three years of reporting experience.
  • Strong command of newswriting grammar and style.
  • Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
  • Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
  • Is comfortable using social media platforms to enhance reporting and deliver stories.
  • Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
  • Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
  • Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
  • Must be willing to travel on short notice to cover breaking news events.
  • This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, please submit: 

  1. Your resume – one to two pages.
  2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
  3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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