Navigating Local News Jobs in a Digital Age: Career Insights for Journalists
Local News Editor: Real Pay, Daily Grind & Survival in a Shrinking Industry
$30K – $70K+
In this episode, we sit down with Zach Shaw, a 30-year veteran journalist, editor, and web manager at Hudson Valley One—a weekly newspaper with wide reach across New York's Hudson Valley. Zach breaks down what it really means to make a living in local news today: the shrinking staff, the rise of AI tools, and why almost every journalist he knows has a side hustle.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How Zach landed his first journalism job at 17—by lying about his skills
What a writer/editor/web manager actually does at a local paper
How print revenue collapsed while online readership grew
What local news editors really earn—and why most need side hustles
How AI is reshaping the journalism profession right now
Why covering crime and business drives the most traffic
What Zach thinks local journalism will look like in 5–10 years
How much can you earn?
Local journalism pay is highly variable—shaped by market size, publication type, and how many roles you're willing to stack. At small and mid-size papers, wearing multiple hats (writer + editor + web) is the norm, not the exception.
Staff writer / entry level: $30K–$45K per year
Editor / mid-level: $40K–$60K per year
Senior editor or managing editor (regional): $55K–$75K per year
Freelance per-piece rate (local papers): $50–$300 per article
Web manager (added to editorial role): Rarely compensated separately at small papers
Side hustles: Nearly universal among local journalists—eBay, music, content work, teaching
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FAQ
How much does a local news editor make?
Most local news editors earn between $40,000 and $65,000 per year, with significant variation by market size and publication. At small regional papers, editors often handle writing, web management, and social media simultaneously—without additional compensation for each role.
Is journalism a dying career?
Local journalism has contracted sharply over the past two decades, with advertising revenue declining even as online readership grows. Most working journalists today supplement their income with freelance work, side hustles, or adjacent roles in content and communications.
How is AI changing journalism?
Editors like Zach are already using AI tools for style editing, headline generation, and research automation. The consensus is that AI won't replace journalists—but it will dramatically reduce the number needed, while raising the bar for those who remain.
What does a local news editor do besides write?
At most small papers, the editor role includes assigning and editing freelance stories, managing the publication's website, curating event calendars, breaking news on social media, and often serving as the de facto IT and web maintenance person.
What's the career path into local journalism today?
Zach recommends learning AI and automation tools first—they've become central to the job. Beyond that, the traditional path of building clips, cultivating community sources, and developing a beat remains relevant. Expect to freelance or work part-time for several years before landing a staff role.
What types of stories get the most traffic at local papers?
Crime and accidents drive the most traffic by far, followed closely by business openings and closings. Culture and events coverage performs modestly but serves an important community function—driving attendance and amplifying local venues.
This show first aired in Sept. 2025.