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Politics Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This editor will play a central role in shaping how CNBC explains the forces driving markets, politics, business and everyday life for our audiences. The ideal candidate is a sharp news leader with ...

Senior Editor, Politics

Washington, DC · On-site

$106K - $145K/yr

Your team covers a wide range of content, including general assignments, politics, and business ... Work directly with Managing Editors & Deputy Managing Editors on newsgathering strategies and ...

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105 - $200/hr

The senior editor may specialize in areas of politics, policy, or national security and will be instrumental in shaping The Atlantic's coverage of issues such as intelligence, the justice system ...

Economics Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$137K - $228K/yr

This editor will oversee a team of reporters covering economic policy at the White House, Congress ... You are fascinated by the intersection of economics, politics and power. * You thrive in a ...

Economics Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$137K - $228K/yr

This editor will oversee a team of reporters covering economic policy at the White House, Congress ... You are fascinated by the intersection of economics, politics and power. * You thrive in a ...

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $200K/yr

The editor, who can specialize in areas of politics, policy, or national security, will be instrumental in shaping The Atlantic's coverage of issues such as intelligence, the justice system, foreign ...

The editor, who can specialize in areas of politics, policy, or national security, will be instrumental in shaping The Atlantic 's coverage of issues such as intelligence, the justice system, foreign ...

This editor will help drive coverage of the biggest political stories of the day, from the White ... Familiarity with national politics or Washington coverage is strongly preferred Compensation ...

This editor will help drive coverage of the biggest political stories of the day, from the White ... Familiarity with national politics or Washington coverage is strongly preferred Compensation ...

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Reporting to WIRED's senior director, science, politics, and security, you'll work with an experienced team of reporters and editors to edit stories from multiple desks and manage syndications from ...

Reporting to WIRED's senior director, science, politics, and security, you'll work with an experienced team of reporters and editors to edit stories from multiple desks and manage syndications from ...

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Reporting to WIRED's senior director, science, politics, and security, you'll work with an experienced team of reporters and editors to edit stories from multiple desks and manage syndications from ...

Deputy Managing Editor

Boston, MA · On-site

$96K - $144K/yr

Politics. As the editor in charge of our breaking news rotation, they will work with every reporter in the newsroom at some point. Essential Functions * Assigns, coaches and edits reporters on short ...

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Politics Editor information

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$35.5K

$64K

$107K

How much do politics editor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for politics editor in the United States is $64,031.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a politics editor do?

A Politics Editor is responsible for overseeing the political coverage in a news organization. They assign stories to reporters, edit articles for accuracy and clarity, and ensure that political news is reported fairly and objectively. The Politics Editor also helps shape the overall direction of political reporting, making editorial decisions about which topics to cover and how to present them. They often collaborate with journalists, photographers, and other editors to produce comprehensive political content. Additionally, they may interact with readers and represent the publication in public forums.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a politics editor?

To thrive as a Politics Editor, you need strong editorial judgment, in-depth knowledge of political systems, and experience in journalism, often supported by a degree in journalism or political science. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), fact-checking tools, and data visualization software is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills help in managing teams and ensuring balanced, insightful coverage. These skills are essential for maintaining credibility, accuracy, and timely reporting in the fast-paced world of political journalism.

How does a politics editor typically collaborate with reporters and other editorial staff?

As a Politics Editor, you will work closely with a team of political reporters, assigning stories, providing editorial guidance, and ensuring factual accuracy and balanced coverage. Regular meetings and brainstorming sessions help align the team's focus on trending political issues and deadlines. You'll also coordinate with copy editors, multimedia producers, and sometimes legal experts to maintain journalistic standards. This collaborative environment requires strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

What is the difference between Politics Editor vs Political Writer?

AspectPolitics EditorPolitical Writer
Required credentialsJournalism degree, editing experienceJournalism or political science background
Work environmentEditorial teams, newsroomsIndependent or freelance, media outlets
Employer usageMedia organizations, news websitesMagazines, online platforms, blogs

The main difference is that a Politics Editor oversees the editing and production of political content within a media organization, ensuring accuracy and quality. A Political Writer focuses on creating original political content, articles, or opinion pieces. While both roles require strong political knowledge and journalism skills, the editor manages content flow, whereas the writer produces the content.

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What cities are hiring for Politics Editor jobs?

Cities with the most Politics Editor job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Politics Editor jobs?

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What states have the most Politics Editor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Politics Editor jobs include:

Infographic showing various Politics Editor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,031 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Senior Politics Editor - White House, Congress and Elections

gannett

Washington, DC • On-site

$103K - $160K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


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

Overview
 
USA TODAY is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Politics Editor to lead high-impact coverage of the White House, Congress and national elections for a fast-paced, competitive news environment. This editor will shape our most consequential political journalism, ensuring it is authoritative, distinctive and indispensable to USA TODAY’s audience.
 
This position reports directly to the Managing Editor for Politics, World and Legal Affairs and works closely with politics reporters and editors across USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network.
 
This position will be based in the USA TODAY newsroom in Washington, DC.
 
What We're Looking For
  • A newsroom leader with deep knowledge of U.S. politics, campaigns and governance.
  • An editor with proven sources within government and politics and demonstrated skill at helping reporters build deep source networks.
  • An editor with strong news judgment, overflowing with ideas and the knowledge of how to help reporters develop interesting and impactful stories.
  • A coach who can elevate reporters’ work, sharpen angles and push for ambitious coverage.
  • A calm, organized editor who thrives under the deadline pressure of breaking news and can also plan coverage for known events.
Job Purpose
 
The Senior Politics Editor will lead coverage of the White House, Congress and national elections, working with a team of reporters to break news, deliver scoops and explain why developments matter to our audience. This editor will help reporters build and strengthen sources, identify exclusive lines of reporting and frame stories with sharp, clear angles across platforms.
 
The ideal candidate combines superb news judgment with strong editing skills, an instinct for accountability journalism and a knack for turning complex policy and political maneuvers into engaging, accessible storytelling. This role requires the ability to move quickly in high-pressure moments while maintaining accuracy, fairness and ethical rigor.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Lead, coach and mentor reporters covering the White House, Congress and national elections, with an emphasis on exclusives, scoops and creative coverage angles.
  • Help reporters build robust source networks and identify original, high-impact lines of reporting.
  • Sharpen story ideas and angles to ensure coverage is focused, timely and essential to USA TODAY’s unique audience.
  • Provide rigorous editing and guidance in shaping clear, compelling narratives and strong digital headlines.
  • Respond quickly to breaking political news and guide follow-up coverage that adds depth, context and accountability.
  • Collaborate closely with visuals, audience, data and video teams to tell politics stories in multiple formats.
  • Maintain excellent planning and organization around major political events, including elections, primaries, debates and key legislative battles.
  • Uphold USA TODAY’s standards for accuracy, fairness, ethics and audience relevance in all political coverage.
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • At least 10 years of newsroom experience as an editor or newsroom leader, preferably on politics or national affairs.
  • Demonstrated success leading high-impact political coverage and delivering distinctive stories in a competitive news environment.
  • Proven ability to coach reporters, strengthen their sourcing and generate scoops and exclusives.
  • Exceptional news judgment, organizational and planning skills, with the ability to work calmly in fast-paced, high-pressure cycles.
  • Strong editing skills and experience shaping story structure, angles and presentation across digital platforms.
  • Experience collaborating with visuals and audience teams and comfort with digital tools and analytics.
  • Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism 

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, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order: 

  1. Your resume – one to two pages.
  2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job. 

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration. 

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The annualized base salary for this role will range between $103,000 and $160,938. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. 

 

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