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Politics Reporter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KQED

LT Reporter, Politics

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Reporter, Politics (Limited Term) Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco Pay Information: $39.00 - $56.00 LT Reporter, Politics This position requires an experienced reporter/host who is ...

Hearst

Local Politics Reporter

Houston, TX

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Local Politics Reporter The Houston Chronicle is seeking a sharp, well-sourced reporter based in Houston to cover the people who represent the Houston region in positions of power - and whether they ...

Politico

National Politics Reporter

Arlington, VA · On-site

POLITICO is seeking an enterprising, high-energy reporter to join our Politics team, covering the forces reshaping American politics during the most consequential elections of our time. This reporter ...

Politico

National Politics Reporter

Arlington, VA · On-site

POLITICO is seeking an enterprising, high-energy reporter to join our Politics team, covering the forces reshaping American politics during the most consequential elections of our time. This reporter ...

KQED

LT Reporter, Politics

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$39 - $56/hr

Reporter, Politics (Limited Term) Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco Pay Information: $39.00 - $56.00 LT Reporter, Politics This position requires an experienced reporter/host who is ...

Fox

Reporter, Politics

Washington, DC

$102K - $115K/yr

FoxNews.com & FoxBusiness.com are looking for an experienced Politics Reporter to join our team. You have years of experience in journalism with an eye for breaking and compelling news to serve our ...

gannett

Politics/watchdog/crime Reporter

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$24.25 - $33/hr

Cloud Times , a USA Today Co. paper, is looking for a politics/watchdog/crime reporter with a passion for discovering stories and finding answers. The candidate should have a bachelor's degree and be ...

gannett

Politics/watchdog/crime Reporter

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$24.25 - $33/hr

Cloud Times , a USA Today Co. paper, is looking for a politics/watchdog/crime reporter with a passion for discovering stories and finding answers. The candidate should have a bachelor's degree and be ...

TIMES PUBLISHING COMPANY

Tallahassee Bureau Reporter

Tampa, FL · On-site

$23.25 - $31.50/hr

The successful candidate will cover both policy and politics, following legislation from conception ... This reporter will be expected to break news, produce watchdog and enterprise reporting, and ...

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Politics Reporter information

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How much do politics reporter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for politics reporter in the United States is $27.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.56 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What degree do you need to be a political journalist?

A political journalist typically holds a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science, communications, or a related field. Strong writing, research skills, and knowledge of current events are essential, and some positions may prefer or require a master's degree or specialized training.

What jobs can you get with political communications?

A politics reporter with skills in journalism, research, and communication can pursue roles such as political analyst, public relations specialist, government affairs coordinator, policy advisor, or communications director. These positions often require strong writing, media skills, and understanding of political processes and can be found in media outlets, government agencies, advocacy groups, and consulting firms.

What is the difference between Politics Reporter vs Political Journalist?

AspectPolitics ReporterPolitical Journalist
CredentialsJournalism degree, reporting experienceJournalism degree, reporting experience
Work EnvironmentNews outlets, newspapers, TV stationsNews outlets, magazines, online platforms
Industry UsageCommonly used in media and news organizationsOften used interchangeably, with a focus on political content
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, job requirementsClarifying job scope, career paths

Both Politics Reporters and Political Journalists typically have journalism backgrounds and work in media outlets covering political news. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Politics Reporter' emphasizes the reporting role, often in daily news, while 'Political Journalist' may include broader analysis and feature writing. Both roles are essential in delivering political news to the public and share similar credentials and work environments.

How does a Politics Reporter typically collaborate with editors and other newsroom staff?

Politics Reporters regularly work closely with editors to shape story angles, verify facts, and meet deadlines. They also coordinate with photographers, graphic designers, and digital teams to enrich coverage and ensure stories are visually engaging and accurate. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as priorities can shift quickly in response to breaking news or political developments. This collaborative environment helps maintain high journalistic standards and timely publication of political news.

What does a Politics Reporter do?

A Politics Reporter covers news and developments in the political sphere, including government actions, elections, policy debates, and political events. They investigate stories, interview sources, attend press conferences, and write articles or produce multimedia content for newspapers, websites, television, or radio. Their work helps inform the public about important political issues and hold public officials accountable. Politics Reporters must have a strong understanding of political systems, current events, and journalistic ethics. They often work under tight deadlines and may need to travel to cover significant events.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, high-paying roles such as senior editors, media executives, and top-level reporters like political correspondents can earn $150,000 or more annually. These positions often require extensive experience, strong industry networks, and advanced skills in journalism, communication, or management.

How much do political news reporters make?

Political news reporters typically earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and the size of the media organization. Experienced reporters or those working for major outlets can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $80,000 annually. Salaries may also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

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

To thrive as a Politics Reporter, you need strong research abilities, news judgment, and a background in journalism or political science. Familiarity with content management systems, social media platforms, and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and the ability to build sources are standout soft skills in this position. These skills are crucial for delivering accurate, timely, and insightful coverage in a fast-paced and high-stakes news environment.
More about Politics Reporter jobs
What states have the most Politics Reporter jobs? States with the most job openings for Politics Reporter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Politics Reporter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Politics Reporter jobs are:
Politics Reporter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Politics Reporter job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,041 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Politics Reporter

The San Francisco Standard

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

The San Francisco Standard is seeking an experienced journalist to join our team as a politics reporter. In this role, you will be responsible for covering San Francisco's dynamic and evolving political landscape during a time of transformative change in the city and contribute to reporting on California politics and policy.
You will be part of a reporting team that consistently breaks news and publishes stories that change how the city operates. Our goal is to hold political power accountable, explain its essential workings to residents, and ultimately improve the civic fabric and quality of the services San Franciscans receive.
Our aim is to hire an additional member of the team who will generate a stream of scoops of fact and analysis. This reporter will produce daily stories alongside in-depth features that explore the impact of politics, government, and policy for readers in San Francisco and beyond.
Responsibilities
  • Pitch and report quick-turn news, medium-length enterprise stories, and in-depth features
  • Develop and nurture strong contacts in City Hall, local and state politics, and the broader community to generate scoops
  • Stay on top of developments within key offices in the city. Conceive of and execute investigative stories probing problems and inefficiencies within local government and the activities of top officials
  • Contribute regularly to Power Play, The Standard's semiweekly political newsletter
  • Work collaboratively with editors, photographers, graphic designers, and the video team to bring stories to life
  • Represent the publication by occasionally attending relevant events, conferences or speaking engagements

Qualifications
  • Experience reporting on government, politics, or related topics
  • Strong familiarity with San Francisco and key political and government figures at the city and state levels
  • Ability to cultivate sources and break news
  • Excellent beat reporting skills
  • Familiarity with campaign finance and the ability to spot news from filings.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Outstanding writing and editing abilities
  • Ability to make granular topics accessible and compelling to readers
  • Proficiency in generating original story ideas and pitching editors successfully
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Data visualization and data analysis skills a plus
  • Spanish- and Chinese-language skills are a plus.

We are an in-office company and the role requires a physical presence in the Bay Area. This job may require occasional night and/or weekend work. We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
The pay range for this role is $120,000 to $150,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate. We encourage you to apply even if you don't fit the preferred qualifications of the job.

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