How To Become A Political Reporter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a political reporter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Expert

Bridget Carson

Do you care for politics but don't want to become a politician? The length of voting periods ensures that anyone involved in a political profession can face several prospects. Sometimes, you may work long hours, and it can be exhausting but political work can provide you with lots of experience in the future. One of these job prospects is becoming a political reporter.

Political reporters compile and review political report information. They also write articles and do interviews for print and online publications and television and radio broadcasts. They educate the public at the city, regional, global, and foreign levels about political news.

To become a political reporter, you must have a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or political science. Typically, journalism programs cover publishing, broadcasting, editing and media ethics, and related classes in law and the press and political reporting. Students will have to select a print or television media specialization. The annual average salary for this role is between $28,568 and $44,880.

What general advice would you give to a Political Reporter?

Bridget Carson

Associate Professor of Developmental English, Independence Community College

Show up. Listen and keep learning. Be a part of the broader community.

I know these seem simple, but they require time. It isn't just about the hours on the clock, although they are that for which you are paid. Go to the meet and greet. Chip into the water cooler fund. Join a softball league, a book club, or a game night. When somebody invites you to a company picnic - go. Join the volunteer opportunities in which the organization participates. Relationships need nurturing so that you can have empathy and resilience during difficult discussions within an organization or when it needs to pull together and get through something.
Our shiny new degrees are just the beginning of what we know. You'll be stepping into situations where people will need your fresh perspective, and you will need their experience. Keep reading, not just things in your content area. This isn't just a "respect your elders" or "know your place" statement. They don't know everything, and neither do you, but they've been there longer.

Be a visible part of the broader community. This is especially important if you choose to work in the Public Sector where people want to see their tax dollars pay people who are invested in their community. Go to the concerts in the park, the local community theater, the parades. Join some organization and chip in. Work the polls, join the park committee, be active in a philanthropic or faith community, show up for events celebrating local history. Support local businesses where you find them in alignment with your values.

Don't do any of this for the show. People can spot a fake-Esse quad videre: to be rather than to seem.

ScorePolitical ReporterUS Average

Salary

4.7

Avg. Salary $60,535

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.3

Growth Rate -10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.29%

Asian 9.42%

Black or African American 6.29%

Hispanic or Latino 12.39%

Unknown 4.36%

White 67.25%

Gender

female 43.16%

male 56.84%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress Level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

2.1

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a political reporter

Explore political reporter education requirements

Most common political reporter degrees

Bachelor's

81.5 %

Master's

13.8 %

Associate

2.1 %

Start to develop specific political reporter skills

Skills	Percentages
Facebook	16.82%
News Stories	13.09%
State Politics	8.30%
State Government	7.28%
Presidential Election	6.53%

Complete relevant political reporter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New political reporters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a political reporter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real political reporter resumes.

Research political reporter duties and responsibilities

Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
Cooperate with metro reporters, graphic designers, and photojournalist to produce daily-base newspaper.
Interview up and coming Latino artists which generate significant increase in readership.

Prepare your political reporter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your political reporter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a political reporter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Political Reporter Resume templates

Build a professional Political Reporter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Political Reporter resume.

Apply for political reporter jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a political reporter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do political reporters rate their job?