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Political Reporter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MediaNews Group, Inc.

Reporter

Irvine, CA · On-site

$24.04/hr

The reporter should cut through political noise and jargon to translate how the decisions those elected officials make affect OC residents. This reporter would also need to be able to spot trends in ...

MediaNews

Reporter

Irvine, CA · On-site

$24.04/hr

The reporter should cut through political noise and jargon to translate how the decisions those elected officials make affect OC residents. This reporter would also need to be able to spot trends in ...

MediaNews Group, Inc.

Reporter

Irvine, CA · On-site

$24.04/hr

The reporter should cut through political noise and jargon to translate how the decisions those elected officials make affect OC residents. This reporter would also need to be able to spot trends in ...

Politico

National Politics Reporter

Arlington, VA

This reporter will be part of a team focused on owning the biggest political storylines during a period of shifting coalitions, uncertainty around the future of the Democratic and Republican parties ...

Politico

National Politics Reporter

Arlington, VA · On-site

This reporter will be part of a team focused on owning the biggest political storylines during a period of shifting coalitions, uncertainty around the future of the Democratic and Republican parties ...

Hearst

Texas Education Reporter

Austin, TX · On-site

The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future ...

Hearst

Texas Education Reporter

Austin, TX · On-site

The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future ...

Hearst Newspapers

Texas Education Reporter

Austin, TX · On-site

The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future ...

Hearst

Texas Education Reporter

Austin, TX · On-site

The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future ...

Hearst

Texas Education Reporter

Austin, TX · On-site

The reporter will also cover political campaigns, legislative sessions and statewide policy debates through the lens of education, examining how lawmakers and state officials are shaping the future ...

The Washington Times

Politics Reporter

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

The Washington Times is seeking an aggressive reporter to help lead coverage of national and political news. This reporter will cover a wide range of news topics focusing on national and state ...

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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 6, 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,112 per year, or $29.4 per hour.
Reporter

Reporter

MediaNews Group, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$24.04/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Summary:
The Orange County Register is seeking an experienced reporter to cover state and federal-level politics (from a county perspective), local education and other key issues in the area. Orange County is a diverse, innovative community with 3.2 million residents, and we need a strong reporter who sees past outdated perceptions of the county.
This reporter should be aggressive and resourceful while being a watchdog, keeping an eye on Orange County's elected officials in Sacramento and Washington D.C., as well as key figures in local school districts. We're looking for journalists with the ability to produce strong enterprise and breaking news for digital and print platforms. Our ideal candidates can cultivate sources, write compelling narratives, keep an eye on OC lawmakers in the state Assembly and Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The reporter should cut through political noise and jargon to translate how the decisions those elected officials make affect OC residents. This reporter would also need to be able to spot trends in the county's school districts. A candidate should be comfortable mining public records for deep investigative pieces and be eager to work in a collaborative environment.
What you will do:
  • Mine human sources, documents and data, including a facility for mining public records
  • Versatility is a must, as stories will cover a variety of topics
  • Write on deadline in a fast-paced environment
  • Produce stories that are assigned, and be able to pitch story ideas on a regular basis
  • Research and develop stories to the utmost accuracy
  • Cultivate sources in person and through other avenues, including via social media
  • Understand and use company-provided hardware, software and cloud-based equipment and systems for company business and tasks
  • Discuss stories throughout the process with the assignment editor, including (but not limited to): idea development, overcoming hurdles, editing, strategy for presentation and analysis of analytics
  • Work with the photo and graphics teams to ensure exploration of all the visual ways stories can be told or enhanced
  • Collaborate with other Register local reporters in a positive culture of teamwork
  • Employees in this role are represented by SCNG NewsGuild

What you will bring:
  • Strong news judgment and a drive to compete
  • Ability to write clean concise copy that draws readers in, including nut graphs and online headlines for SEO
  • At least two years of professional journalism experience; prior political and/or government reporting experience preferred
  • Ability to gather and decipher campaign finance data for candidates at both the federal and state levels
  • Drive to juggle multiple stories of varying complexity, from quick news posts under intense deadline pressure to daily news stories and longer-term enterprise
  • Proficiency at using the web and social media to report stories and to share them
  • Facility with multiple languages is a plus
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
  • Ability to take own photos is a plus

Benefits and Compensation:
The hourly wage is $24.04 + cell phone stipend. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: http://www.mybensite.com/mng
Who we are:
In 2016, the Southern California News Group (SCNG) rapidly became a major U.S. news organization bringing together prominent publications like the Orange County Register and Riverside Press-Enterprise under the MediaNews Group umbrella. SCNG has become the largest news content provider in the five-county Los Angeles metropolitan area, boasting a leading circulation nationwide with 11 daily newspapers and over a dozen community weeklies. Our mission is to connect communities by providing readers with top-notch local news coverage and offering advertisers unparalleled access to a diverse and engaged audience. No matter the distribution vehicle - newspaper, magazine, mobile, online - SCNG's in-depth reporting on local news, politics, sports, and entertainment attracts a highly desirable audience of over 8.1 million adults weekly. This makes SCNG the leading local news provider and an indispensable marketing solution for Southern California advertisers.
"4x Built In Best Places to Work Winner - 2023-2026"
EEO Statement:
We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
How To Apply:
  • Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here. Along with your resume, please include 3 - 4 samples showcasing your best work.

Closing Date:
  • Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment:
  • A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation
  • Travel - This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed
  • Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours

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