Journalist Jobs in California
Journalist jobs in California sit at the center of one of the world's most active media markets, with demand running from entry-level editorial assistants through senior investigative reporters and bureau chiefs. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by employers like the Los Angeles Times, NBC Universal, and the Sacramento Bee, which maintain consistent year-round newsroom openings. Digital journalism, investigative reporting, and broadcast news are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Journalist jobs
About Snappr News
Snappr is the one-stop-shop for visual content for brands, including the largest on-demand marketplace for photographers and videographers. Snappr News is a new product line: an editorial photo and video product launching in 2026, starting with technology news in the San Francisco Bay Area. We will cover the top tech stories of the day with stunning visuals that can’t be found anywhere else. You’ll play a leading role in shaping the product and business model from the ground up, and helping define how the world gets visuals for the moments that matter. This is our first ever internship position for this product.
The Role
You’ll work alongside the Snappr News team to cover broad tech news and tech’s impact across San Francisco and the Bay Area: companies, founders, workers, money, culture, policy, and the on-the-ground moments that explain what’s actually happening - beyond the press releases. This is a photo and video capture internship. You won’t need to edit - we have a whole backend platform for that! You’ll get a front seat view of the early days of a new product at a fast growing technology startup!
What You'll Do:
- Report visually in the field: breaking news, events, portraits, features, and “tech meets real life” stories
- Deliver fast: often same-day, frequently within hours, occasionally immediately when news breaks
- Produce both photo and video on assignment: from quick hit coverage to short-form storytelling
- Write complete, accurate captions for every photo/video: names, titles, dates, locations, context - no guessing. Use AI tools responsibly to speed up your writing and tagging without sacrificing quality
- Tag and package everything correctly in the proprietary Snappr News app: keywords, locations, people/companies, and legal information
- Operate according to photojournalistic ethics and standards
- Receive coaching from experienced photographers
Must-Haves:
- Strong photographic portfolio (street photography is a good proxy if you don’t have experience in photojournalism specifically)
- Solid video shooting skills
- Extreme attention to detail
- Charismatic and love meeting new people
- Calm under pressure
- Patient
Strong Preference:
- Studying a relevant field at a local university (preference to Berkeley and Stanford)
- Experience in photojournalism (e.g. school photojournalism)
- Motorbike license (or willing to get one). We have company bikes
Gear
We provide top-end gear. If you prefer, we will consider allowing you to use your own kit if it’s full-frame and compatible with our hardware and remote transfer requirements.
Office
When you’re not out shooting, you’ll be based out of our office in downtown San Francisco.
Schedule
8-12 weeks over summer - flexible depending on school schedule. Mostly Mon-Fri, with occasional weekend assignments and on-call. Must be flexible for evening events and fast-breaking coverage.
Compensation & Benefits
- $25 per hour (40 hours per week)
- Approved travel expenses covered where needed
About Snappr News
Snappr is the one-stop-shop for visual content for brands, including the largest on-demand marketplace for photographers and videographers. Snappr News is a new product line: an editorial photo and video product launching in 2026, starting with technology news in the San Francisco Bay Area. We will cover the top tech stories of the day with stunning visuals that can’t be found anywhere else. You’ll play a leading role in shaping the product and business model from the ground up, and helping define how the world gets visuals for the moments that matter. This is our first ever internship position for this product.
The Role
You’ll work alongside the Snappr News team to cover broad tech news and tech’s impact across San Francisco and the Bay Area: companies, founders, workers, money, culture, policy, and the on-the-ground moments that explain what’s actually happening - beyond the press releases. This is a photo and video capture internship. You won’t need to edit - we have a whole backend platform for that! You’ll get a front seat view of the early days of a new product at a fast growing technology startup!
What You'll Do:
- Report visually in the field: breaking news, events, portraits, features, and “tech meets real life” stories
- Deliver fast: often same-day, frequently within hours, occasionally immediately when news breaks
- Produce both photo and video on assignment: from quick hit coverage to short-form storytelling
- Write complete, accurate captions for every photo/video: names, titles, dates, locations, context - no guessing. Use AI tools responsibly to speed up your writing and tagging without sacrificing quality
- Tag and package everything correctly in the proprietary Snappr News app: keywords, locations, people/companies, and legal information
- Operate according to photojournalistic ethics and standards
- Receive coaching from experienced photographers
Must-Haves:
- Strong photographic portfolio (street photography is a good proxy if you don’t have experience in photojournalism specifically)
- Solid video shooting skills
- Extreme attention to detail
- Charismatic and love meeting new people
- Calm under pressure
- Patient
Strong Preference:
- Studying a relevant field at a local university (preference to Berkeley and Stanford)
- Experience in photojournalism (e.g. school photojournalism)
- Motorbike license (or willing to get one). We have company bikes
Gear
We provide top-end gear. If you prefer, we will consider allowing you to use your own kit if it’s full-frame and compatible with our hardware and remote transfer requirements.
Office
When you’re not out shooting, you’ll be based out of our office in downtown San Francisco.
Schedule
8-12 weeks over summer - flexible depending on school schedule. Mostly Mon-Fri, with occasional weekend assignments and on-call. Must be flexible for evening events and fast-breaking coverage.
Compensation & Benefits
- $25 per hour (40 hours per week)
- Approved travel expenses covered where needed
See All 18 Journalist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Journalist JobsJournalist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Journalist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Nexstar Media Group5
- KQED2
- The Walt Disney Company2
- iHeartMedia2
- California State University, Los Angeles1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software9
- Media & Entertainment8
- Education2
- Artificial Intelligence1
- Marketing & Advertising1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in journalist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated portfolio of published clips or broadcast segments across multiple formats
- Experience with AP Style and digital content management systems such as WordPress
- Ability to research, report, write, and edit stories to daily or breaking-news deadlines
- Familiarity with California public records law and the California Shield Law for source protection
- Proficiency with digital storytelling tools including video editing, social media, and data visualization
Journalist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a journalist in California?
California does not require a state-issued license or government credential to work as a journalist. The standard path is completing a bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, then building a portfolio through college newspapers, campus broadcast stations, or internships at California news outlets. Many newsrooms, particularly in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, require demonstrated clips or a broadcast reel before extending a staff offer.
Which companies hire journalists in California?
Employers hiring journalists in California right now include Nexstar Media Group, KQED, and The Walt Disney Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of major broadcast networks, digital-native news organizations, and regional newspapers makes it one of the deepest journalist hiring markets in the country.
Which California cities have the most journalist jobs?
San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have the most journalist openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its density of broadcast networks, entertainment trade press, and digital news startups, while San Francisco's tech industry fuels strong demand for technology and business reporters, and Sacramento's role as the state capital draws political and government affairs journalists.
Are there remote journalist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many fields. About 17% of journalist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the shift toward digital-first newsrooms that do not require reporters to be in a physical office. Writing, editing, podcast production, and newsletter roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while beat reporters covering courts, government, or live events typically remain in-person.
How can I get hired as a journalist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid or credit-bearing internship at a California daily newspaper, television station, or digital outlet, which many newsrooms convert into staff roles. The Los Angeles Times, Bay Area News Group, and California public broadcasting stations like KQED run structured internship programs that welcome candidates without professional experience. Contributing to a college paper, pitching freelance stories to alt-weeklies, or producing a personal newsletter builds the clips that California editors require for entry-level reporting positions.
Where can I find and apply to journalist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to journalist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California employers. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each one.
See All 18 Journalist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Journalist Jobs