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Temporary Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

AAAS

Photo Editor

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$70K - $80K/yr

This is a temporary, part-time position with a maximum of 30 hours per week. This position may be ... Sourcing and editing high-quality photography for Science's news content * Collaborating with ...

G0549 Politico LLC

Editor, Central Desk

Arlington, VA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Central editors support a daily flow of stories through editing and publication while also deploying to individual teams during major news events or to fill temporary staffing needs. This is an ...

Politico

Editor, Central Desk

Arlington, VA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Central editors support a daily flow of stories through editing and publication while also deploying to individual teams during major news events or to fill temporary staffing needs. This is an ...

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How much do temporary editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary editor in Washington is $32.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.05 and $36.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary editor?

Temporary Editors are professionals hired on a short-term or contract basis to edit content, such as articles, books, or multimedia projects. They may fill in for permanent staff during busy periods, cover for absences, or assist with special projects. Temporary Editors are expected to have strong editing skills and adapt quickly to the style and standards of the organization. Their contracts can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the organization's needs. This role is common in publishing houses, newsrooms, and media organizations.

How does a temporary editor typically integrate with existing editorial teams during short-term assignments?

Temporary Editors are often brought in to support ongoing projects or fill staffing gaps, so they must quickly adapt to established editorial workflows and team dynamics. This involves familiarizing themselves with the publication's style guide, content management systems, and communication channels. Temporary Editors usually collaborate closely with writers, permanent editors, and sometimes designers to ensure consistency and meet deadlines. Flexibility and strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the ability to hit the ground running directly impacts both project success and team cohesion.

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

To thrive as a Temporary Editor, you need strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills, often supported by a degree in English, journalism, or communications. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), word processing software, and style guides like AP or Chicago Manual of Style is typically required. Attention to detail, adaptability, and effective communication are vital soft skills for meeting deadlines and collaborating with various stakeholders. These competencies ensure high-quality, error-free content production within tight timeframes, which is crucial for success in temporary editorial roles.

What is the difference between Temporary Editor vs Freelance Editor?

AspectTemporary EditorFreelance Editor
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in journalism, communications, or related fieldSame as Temporary Editor, often with additional portfolio or freelance experience
Work EnvironmentEmployed by a company or publication for a set periodWorks independently, often remotely, with multiple clients
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by publishing houses, media outlets, and corporationsCommon among independent professionals and small publishing projects
Search & Comparison IntentPeople looking for temporary, short-term editing roles within organizationsIndividuals seeking flexible, project-based editing work

The main difference between a Temporary Editor and a Freelance Editor lies in employment status and work setup. Temporary Editors are hired by organizations for a specific period, often with a fixed contract, while Freelance Editors operate independently, managing multiple clients and projects. Both roles require similar credentials, but their work environments and employment arrangements differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Editor jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Editor jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Temporary Editor jobs in Washington?

For Temporary Editor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Temporary Editor jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Temporary Editor jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Temporary Editor jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Temporary Editor job openings:

Temporary Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Editor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 73% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,739 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Temporary News Editor (6 months)

Arlington, VA • On-site

G0549 Politico LLC
See more jobs at G0549 Politico LLCexternal

$120K - $130K/yr

Other

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

Key responsibilities

  • Edit and publish breaking news, enterprise stories, and newsletters.

  • Assign stories and help shape coverage throughout shifts.

  • Work closely with reporters to strengthen reporting, framing, and structure.

Job description

Temporary News Editor (6 months)

POLITICO is seeking an experienced, versatile editor to join our newsroom on a six-month contract supporting our Breaking and White House teams. This editor will help drive coverage of the biggest political stories of the day, from the White House to Congress to the campaign trail, during one of the busiest stretches of the 2026 midterm cycle. The role is designed for an editor with exceptional news judgment, sharp editing skills and the ability to move seamlessly between fast-paced breaking news and deeply reported enterprise. The editor will spend weekends helping lead POLITICO's Breaking desk and will support weekday editing across both the Breaking and White House teams. This is a six-month contract position based in Virginia, New York or California.

Responsibilities include assigning and editing stories and newsletters, working closely with reporters to sharpen coverage, coordinating with homepage and audience teams, and helping ensure POLITICO is fast, accurate and competitive on the biggest stories.

Schedule
  • Monday–Wednesday: 12:30pm-8:30pm
  • Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Who You Are
  • You thrive in a fast-moving news environment and enjoy making quick, smart editorial decisions
  • You’re a strong line editor who can improve copy while preserving reporters’ voices
  • You have excellent news judgment and know how to prioritize competing stories
  • You’re collaborative, calm under pressure and comfortable working across multiple teams
  • You’re adaptable and can quickly become fluent in new beats and workflows
  • You’re comfortable working independently while coordinating with editors across the newsroom
What You’ll Do
  • Edit and publish breaking news, enterprise stories and newsletters
  • Assign stories and help shape coverage throughout your shifts
  • Work closely with reporters to strengthen reporting, framing and structure
  • Coordinate with editors across the newsroom to ensure comprehensive coverage of major news events
  • Help maintain POLITICO’s standards for speed, accuracy, fairness and clarity
  • Collaborate with homepage, audience and production teams to maximize the impact of our journalism
  • Help lead weekend breaking news coverage and support weekday editing across the Breaking and White House teams
What You’ll Need
  • 5+ years of professional journalism experience, including significant editing experience
  • Excellent editing, headline writing and story framing skills
  • Strong news judgment and experience covering fast-moving news
  • Experience assigning stories and working directly with reporters
  • Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
  • Experience with digital publishing platforms and content management systems
  • Familiarity with national politics or Washington coverage is strongly preferred
Compensation

$120,000-$130,000 Annual Base (prorated over six-month term) The final salary offered will be based on factors including relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

About Us

POLITICO illuminates the forces shaping global power. Since 2007, we have delivered intelligence that anticipates tomorrow's headlines, not reports on yesterday's news. As politics has increasingly become the defining force of our era, our work has never been more vital. Cabinet secretaries and Ministers start their mornings with our analysis. CEOs shape strategy around our reporting. Advocacy leaders rely on our insights to move policy. We deliver the straightforward facts and clear-eyed analysis they need to navigate the most complex political landscape of our lifetimes. Our 1,100+ publishing professionals across the world's key democratic capitals—Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York—form the world's premier politics and policy newsroom. We tell the story of how power really works by explaining who wields it and how they plan to exercise it, connecting dots others miss and delivering scoops from sources others don't even know exist. Innovation has always been a core tenet of our story. At launch, we bet that depth would trump scale, that talent would trump traffic, and that politics would become central to modern life. In 2011, we made another bet and launched POLITICO Pro to help decision-makers understand the business of government, transforming both how they shape government action and the business of journalism itself. These bets have made POLITICO the most successful digital news startup of its generation and the indispensable resource for leaders who shape the future. Today, we are a rarity in media: a growing, profitable, and sustainable news organization. POLITICO is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. The company’s guiding principles—first articulated as The Essentials by founder Axel Springer in the aftermath of World War II—remain a cornerstone of the company’s foundation today. Learn more about Axel Springer.

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