political speech writing pay

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• Get Paid to Write: 15 Political Writing Markets for Freelancers

1.  The American Conservative

2. the atlantic, 3. new statesman, 4. salon.com, 5. the national review, 8. washington monthly, 10. vox first person, 11. liberal america, 12. polizette, 13. new york observer, 14. the progressive, 15. the nation, get paid to write about politics.

Maybe you’re one of those news junkies who follows government trends, key political players, or the issues and policies that have an impact on everyday people.

Find a fresh angle, and you can get paid to write about it.

As a newbie freelancer, I was able to get paid to write a political piece for a national magazine. More about that later.

Maybe you want to get paid to write about your political views, opinions, and life experiences impacted by politics and government. There’s a market for that.

And if you’re interested in finding freelance writing jobs and digging deep into government and politics as an investigative journalist, feature writer, or contributing freelancer, you can find political markets to get paid to write those types of articles, too.

Check out this list of political writing markets, study the guidelines, start pitching, and get paid to write:

Interested in political writing from a conservative perspective? You’ll need solid journalism skills to report and write about current events, trends and issues for The American Conservative, a magazine published by the American Ideas Institute.

“We believe in constitutional government, fiscal prudence, sound monetary policy, clearly delineated borders, protection of civil liberties, authentically free markets, and restraint in foreign policy mixed with diplomatic acuity,” says editor Robert Merry .

Rate s: Pays $150 and up depending on assignment.

If you want to write for The Atlantic, a magazine that covers news and analysis on politics, business, culture, technology, national, international and political life, read this by former Atlantic staffer Garance Franke-Ruta: “ How (not) to pitch: A guide for freelance writers .”

FYI – The Atlantic is also open to working with new freelancers. It’s where I landed my first magazine assignment as a newbie  for a piece about the career trajectory of Donald Trump that landed him in the White House.

Want to write for The Atlantic? Study the magazine and pitch an idea with a query first .

Rates: Pays $150 to $1,600 depending on assignment.

This progressive-thinking political magazine, based in the United Kingdom, has been covering politics and issues from around the world for more than 100 years.

“Timely, well-written contributions that bring a new angle to topics within the  New Statesman ‘s remit,” says editor Jason Cowley. “Make sure you’re familiar with the website and what we cover before pitching – following us  on Twitter  is a good way of doing this.”

Have a story idea for The New Statesman? Pitch editors Julia Rampen or George Eaton .

Rates : Pays $150.00 to $300.00 per article.

Salon.com was born from the slow-and-steady demise of traditional print newspapers, and covers politics and other topics with investigative reporting, commentary, criticism, and provocative personal essays. Pitch story ideas to Managing Editor Erin Keane . Note: If you can, be sure to mention you can provide video clips.

Rates: Pays $150 and up, depending on assignment.

You’ll only find conservative-focused articles in this 60-year-old magazine that features news and commentary pieces on political, social, and cultural affairs.

Want to write for The National Review? Pitch Senior Editor Richard Brookhiser , but current issues and read The Magazine’s Credenda first.

Got a knack for writing witty and opinionated analysis pieces about political issues? That’s the Slate’s niche in the world of online journalism.

“We are a general-interest publication offering analysis and commentary about politics, news, business, technology, and culture,” says Editor-in-Chief Julia Turner.

Pitch story ideas to Political Editor Reid Pillifant .

Rates: Pays $0.23 per word.  

Here’s an interesting way to differentiate yourself as a news and literary magazine…no advertising. That’s the Sun’s approach to focus on great writing.

This magazine has been around for 40 years, and is looking for essays, interviews, and story ideas about political and cultural issues.

“We’ve been described in many ways,” says Editor and Publish Sy Safransky. “Celebratory, fierce, unflinching, thoughtful, truthful, dark, darkly funny, tender.”

And it shows in recent articles on wealth and poverty, Donald Trump as a taboo topic at work, inequalities in education, and much more.

Rates: Pays $300 to $2,000 per assignment.

Class warfare, the latest insights on the Nunes memo and the FBI, party battles over climate change, and rural America in the 21 st century. Those are the kinds of reported stories you’ll find in the Washington Monthly.

And if you have an idea for an investigative piece, opinion-based feature, or even book reviews of political titles, pitch Editor Gilad Edelman .

Rates: Pays $0.10/word

Do you know where politics and Jewish life intersect? Then pitch a story idea to Tablet, a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture.

Recent freelance political pieces published in Tablet include: “ Three theories of the rise of Trump ,” “ George Loinger’s simple game of catch ,” “ Mob rule ,” among others.

Query news and politics editor Matthew Fishbane , and include a brief summary of your story idea, bio, and writing experience.

Rates : Pays $150 and up depending on assignment.

Got a political view and personal experience you’d like to share and get paid to write? Vox First person wants to hear from you. This news-opinion-style site welcomes opinion-focused articles, essays, and points of view that help explain politics and current events from a first-person perspective.

Rates : Pays $150 and up.

When Texas-born Tiffany Willis Clark spent time working with disadvantaged and oppressed populations, the elderly, people living in poverty, at-risk youth, and the unemployed, it changed the way she sees the world. And it’s one reason why she founded Liberal America.

This site covers political and social issues liberals care about. And if you have an idea for a story, send your pitch to [email protected] .

Rates: Pays $50 and up.

PoliZette is a division of LifeZette, and features political articles that offer commentary, insight, and explanation of the sometimes crazy world of politics. Pitch story ideas to Senior Editor Mark Tapscott . But do your homework, he’s a guy who’s been on the front lines of political journalism for more than 30 years.

Rates:  Pays $100 to $200 per assignment.

Like writing about the latest news from the White House? Or have an inside scoop, opinion, or point of view about New York politics? If you can write for a “sophisticated readership of metropolitan professionals,” pitch an idea to Contributors Editor Kelsey Smith .

Rates: Pays $100 per assignment.

If you want to write about the people, events, and issues shaping social and economic justice, civil liberties, human rights, the environment, and democracy, pitch a story idea to Managing Editor Bill Lueders at The Progressive.

Rates:  $50 to $1,300 per assignment.

“We are a weekly journal of left/liberal opinion, covering national and international affairs as well as the arts publishing in both print and digitally,” says Editor and Publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel.

The Nation was founded on principles of investigative journalism and old-school reporting. Stories include analysis of breaking news, politics, social issues and the arts. Check The Masthead to pitch the appropriate editor.

Rates: $225 and up per assignment.

If political writing is your thing, or you want to break into this niche, and get paid to write, you can. Here’s how:

• Find a market (these are just a few of many political markets where you can get paid to write).
• Study the guidelines.
• Read articles on the publication’s website/and or back issues.
• Come up with a fresh angle or story idea.
• Write a query and pitch your idea.

And in case you haven’t noticed, there’s ample story ideas out there to get paid to write about politics.

What political markets have you written for?  Let’s discuss on Facebook and LinkedIn .

Douglas Fitzpatrick  is a freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas.

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Speech Writer Salary in the United States

The salary of a Speech Writer in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.

Speech Writer Salary

What is the highest and lowest pay for speech writer.

As of December 01, 2024, the average annual pay of Speech Writer in the United States is $131,977 . While Salary.com is seeing that the highest pay for Speech Writer in the US can go up to $166,256 and the lowest down to $96,141 , but most earn between $113,219 and $149,920 . Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Speech Writer in the United States.

Last Updated on December 01, 2024

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What is the hourly and monthly salary as a Speech Writer?

As of December 01, 2024, the average hourly salary is $63 (range: $46 to $80); the average monthly salary is $10,998 (range: $8,012 to $13,855).

Click the switch button below to see weekly and yearly salary of a Speech Writer.

What are the salaries of Speech Writer with different levels of experience?

As of December 01, 2024, Salary.com is seeing that an entry-level Speech Writer with under 1 year experience makes about $125,163. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Speech Writer makes around $125,720. After 2-4 years, the Speech Writer pay rises to about $128,505. Those senior Speech Writer with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $133,155, and those Speech Writer having 8 years or more experience is expected to earn about $138,483 on average.

How much does salary of Speech Writer vary from state to state?

Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from state to state due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living , local economic conditions, and industry presence.

For example, as of December 01, 2024, the average yearly salary of Speech Writer is $145,571 in California and in Massachusetts, the average annual salary goes to $143,591. While in New Jersey, a Speech Writer earns $144,647 per year.

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How much does salary of Speech Writer vary from city to city?

Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from city to city due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living , local economic conditions, and industry presence.

For example, as of December 01, 2024, the average yearly salary of Speech Writer in San Francisco, CA is $164,972 and in New York, NY, the average annual salary goes to $154,150. While a Speech Writer earns $147,947 per year in Boston, MA.

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What is the salary trend of Speech Writer?

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Speech Writer salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. As of December 01, 2024, our research highlights a notable shift in Speech Writer compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $87,953 in 2023 to about $87,700 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Speech Writer salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Speech Writer Over Time

Speech writer salary by year, salaries of jobs related to speech writer.

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Star therapeutics inc, narrow lane co, anteater pest & lawn services, happy tails veterinary hospital, most common benefits for speech writer.

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What are the salaries of a Speech Writer with different levels of education?

Salaries for speech writer with a high school diploma or technical certificate.

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Speech Writer with a Bachelor's Degree is $123,770 - $133,954. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

Speech Writer Salaries by Degree Level

Faq about speech writer, 1. what is the average salary of a speech writer.

The average annual salary of Speech Writer is $131,977. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Speech Writer is $63; the average weekly pay of Speech Writer is $2,538; the average monthly pay of Speech Writer is $10,998.

2. Where can a Speech Writer earn the most?

A Speech Writer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Speech Writer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Speech Writer is $165,632.

3. What is the highest pay for Speech Writer?

The highest pay for Speech Writer is $166,256.

4. What is the lowest pay for Speech Writer?

The lowest pay for Speech Writer is $96,141.

5. What are the responsibilities of Speech Writer?

Speech Writer researches, drafts, writes, and edits a variety of speeches, talking points, press statements, web content, news releases, and other materials for executives. Translates the ideas, objectives, position, and management philosophy into messaging that relates to the topic, speaker, and intended audience. Being a Speech Writer ensures consistent messaging strategy and brand identity are included in every piece. Provides subject matter expertise in delivering presentations and speeches Requires a bachelor's degree. Additionally, Speech Writer typically reports to a manager. The Speech Writer work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. To be a Speech Writer typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

6. What are the skills of Speech Writer

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Problem Solving: Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.

Supply Chain: A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.

Proofreading: Proofreading is the reading of a galley proof or an electronic copy of a publication to detect and correct production errors of text or art.

7. $131,977 yearly is how much per hour?

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Political Speechwriters

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Introduction

Political speechwriters prepare speeches for individuals in the political arena. They write for politicians in all branches of government, from the local and state level to the national level, including the president of the United States.

Quick Facts

Median Salary

Employment Prospects

Minimum Education Level

Personality Traits

Salaries for speechwriters (including political speechwriters) vary depending upon experience. Salary.com reported the median salary for speechwriters was $134,063 in April 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned $87,753 or less and the top 10 percent earned $205,658 or more. Salaries also depend on geographical location and the level of government for which the speechwriter writes.

In May 20...

Work Environment

The work environment of political speechwriters can vary. At times, they may find themselves working in a relatively quiet office. They may also find themselves traveling on a crowded bus, train, or plane with the politician for whom they are writing, trying to craft a speech that needs to be finished by the time they arrive at their next destination. Work hours in this profession can be long a...

The U.S. Department of Labor does not provide employment outlook information for the career of political speechwriter, but it does report that job opportunities for all writers will show little or no change through 2028. It is safe to say, though, given the prevalence of politics and the importance of effective communication in the world today, that political speechwriters will have steady empl...

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Political speechwriter career.

Political speechwriters prepare speeches for individuals in the political arena. They write for politicians in all branches of government, from the local and state level to the national level, including the president of the United States.

Political Speechwriter Career History

Political Speechwriter Job Description

Political speechwriters write speeches for politicians, or they may assist the politician in composing a speech. A politician may need speechwriters for several reasons.

Many politicians are extremely busy and simply do not have the time to write the many speeches they need to give. Others may not feel comfortable writing their own speeches and require the presence of a speechwriter to help them make sense of what they want to say, and how they want to convey that message in a speech. Still other politicians may have excellent ideas for their speeches but need help communicating their vision to others.

A political speechwriter usually begins writing a speech once a topic is selected. They may have a topic assigned to them, or they may have to determine the topic of the speech themselves. To do this, a speechwriter may meet with the politician for whom they are writ­ing to receive his or her input. A speechwriter might also meet with representatives of the group to which the politician will be speaking, in order to discover their con­cerns and ensure that they are addressed in the speech. Next, the speechwriter will typically research the topic to be mentioned in the speech. To do this, they may uti­lize the resources of libraries, the Internet, or interview knowledgeable authorities in the field.

Once a speechwriter has gathered enough initial information, they begin to write the speech. Speechwriters must keep several things in mind while writing the speech. They need to ensure that the speech sounds like it was written by the politician who will ultimately be delivering it. They also need to keep in mind who will be hearing the speech, making sure that the speech is written so that it will be not only be understood by the intended audience, but that it will also be persuasive and effective in delivering the politician’s message. The speechwriter is also concerned with the mechanics of good speechwriting: allowing the speaker to engage the audience; providing clear, key points of the speech that can be easily recognized and digested by the audience; and ensuring that the audience identifies positively with the speaker by the end of the speech. They also have to be concerned with more mundane issues, such as making sure the speech does not exceed any time limits.

After the speechwriter finishes a rough draft of a speech, it will need to be approved by the politician deliv­ering it. Depending on the individual, he or she may or may not have had any interaction with the speech-writer until this stage. The politician, as well as his or her advisers, may revise the speech and send it back to the speechwriter for additional work, changing anything the politician or advisers are not satisfied or comfortable with. At this point, the speech may be shuffled back and forth several more times before it is finally approved.

After the speech is approved, the speechwriter may be responsible for producing the speech in its final form, which varies across different situations. The speech may need to be typed on easily readable note cards for a politi­cian speaking in a small auditorium, or the speech might need to be on a computer disk that can be input into a Teleprompter and displayed on a monitor for the politi­cian to read at a large rally or televised event.

Political Speechwriter Requirements

High school.

Since speechwriters need to be strong communicators, you should take as many English, speech, and communications courses as you can. Take courses in civics, history, and gov­ernment as well. If possible, join a speech or debate team to gain experience researching current events, analyzing data, and presenting information to others.

Postsecondary Training

You will need a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a field related to communications or political science, to become a political speechwriter. In addition to taking as many writing, speech, and communications classes as you can, you should pursue a well-rounded education, taking courses in history and politics.

Other Requirements

To be a successful speechwriter, you must stay up-to-date with current events and daily news. You must be flex­ible and able to integrate late-breaking news items into speeches you have written. You must also be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Because speechwriters need to interact with others, you should have good people skills.

Exploring Political Speechwriter Career

The best way to find out if speechwriting is something you wish to pursue is to write as often as possible. The more you write, the more you will improve your skills. You can practice writing speeches on your own, or you can partici­pate with your school’s speech or debate teams. Join local groups to learn the basics of effective public speaking so you can write more successful speeches. Reading famous speeches will also help you to understand the components of a successful speech. You can also join nonprofit or polit­ical organizations and offer to assist with public speaking events. This will give you the opportunity to make con­tacts, observe their operations, and you might even get an opportunity to assist a speechwriter with research.

Most political speechwriters work for politicians or political consulting groups. Many jobs are in Washing­ton, D.C., but there are opportunities available across the nation at the state and local government levels. One thing to keep in mind: It can be very difficult to write speeches supporting issues that go against you own views or mor­als. If you find employment with a politician who is closely aligned with your own opinions on issues that are important to you, your job will be easier and have the potential to be very rewarding.

Starting Out

One of the most important and effective ways of getting started as a political speechwriter is to make connections with people involved in politics. Volunteer for political campaigns and be an advocate of public policy issues that interest you. You can make good connections and gain valuable experience, work­ing or interning in the offices of your state capital. You might also try for an internship with one of your state’s members of Congress; contact their offices in Washington, D.C. for internship applications.

Some people pursue a career as a political speechwriter directly by working in the press offices of political candidates, starting out as assistants to speechwriters or press secretaries, advancing as they are able to demonstrate their ability and as opportunities arise. Others make the jump to speechwriting after having worked in the political arena as lawyers, lobbyists, or journalists.

Advancement

Political speechwriters have many advancement options. Entry-level speechwriters may progress from doing mostly research, to writing some low-profile speeches, to writing more important speeches. They may also start by working with politicians at the local level and move on to work with more prestigious politicians at the state or national levels. Or they may find themselves promoted to speechwriting positions that have more supervisory and organizational responsibilities, such as managing a team of speechwriters.

Some political speechwriters advance to non-speech-writing positions within public administration; for exam­ple, they may become politicians or political consultants. They may also make the transition to a career in media, finding employment as a writer, journalist, or a career in public relations.

Salaries for speechwriters (including political speechwrit­ers) range from $53,000 to $68,000, with a median salary of $60,500. Entry-level speechwriters typically earn much less, sometimes starting around $20,000, and experienced speechwriters who work with high-profile politicians may make considerably more, earning salaries of $100,000 or more. Salaries also depend on geographical location and the level of government for which the speechwriter writes.

Work Environment

The work environment of political speechwriters can vary. At times, they may find themselves working in a relatively quiet office. They may also find themselves traveling on a crowded bus, train, or plane with the politician for whom they are writing, trying to craft a speech that needs to be finished by the time they arrive at their next destination. Work hours in this profession can be long and very irregu­lar. This is especially the case when a speechwriter is work­ing for a major political candidate on the campaign trail.

The work environment, whether it is on the road or in the office, has the potential to be frantic, noisy, and stressful. Politicians, political advisers, and speechwriters may have opposing views of what needs to be included in a speech, leading to heated exchanges. Speechwriters may have to make last-minute changes to a speech based on the day’s news events, all with the stress of deadlines looming. That said, not all speechwriters are employed in these high-pressured settings. Depending on their employer, a speechwriter may also work in a typical office environment, with fairly regular work hours.

Political Speechwriter Career Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor does not provide employ­ment outlook information for the career of political speechwriter. It is safe to say, though, given the prevalence of politics and the importance of effective communication in the world today, that political speechwriters will have steady employment opportunities for the next decade.

For More Information:

• American Association of Political Consultants
• U.S. House of Representatives
• United States Senate