Economics Correspondent

The Washington Post is seeking an aggressive, perceptive and creative reporter to cover the defining developments in the U.S. economy — delivering revelatory reporting and sharp analysis about how shifts in labor, business and Washington policy shape the lives of Americans. 

This reporter will help readers make sense of a fast-changing economic landscape, from tariffs, inflation and wages to corporate strategy, financial markets and the intersection of politics and economic power. We are looking for a journalist who can move fluidly between breaking news, ambitious enterprise and explanatory journalism — someone who can spot trends early, interrogate data deeply and surface the human consequences behind the numbers. 

The ideal candidate is an inquisitive thinker and voracious consumer of data who is equally comfortable cultivating sources, parsing economic research and telling intimate, character-driven stories. They should be energized by collaboration, working with graphics reporters, data journalists and visuals editors to produce coverage that is authoritative, accessible and visually compelling. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

What Motivates You: 

• You are driven to uncover what’s really happening in the economy — beyond the headlines and talking points. 

• You are curious about how economic power is wielded and who benefits from major trends and policy decisions. 

• You enjoy translating complex data and research into clear, engaging journalism. 

• You are competitive on breaking news but equally excited about ambitious enterprise. 

• You thrive in a collaborative newsroom that values rigor, creativity and impact. 

How You’ll Support the Mission: 

• Break news and produce enterprise stories on major developments in the U.S. economy, including labor markets, corporate behavior, financial trends and economic policy. 

• Identify emerging themes and structural shifts, helping readers understand not just what is happening but why it matters. 

• Develop and maintain sources across government, business, academia and advocacy groups. 

• Use data, research and public records to illuminate trends and hold powerful actors accountable. 

• Produce explanatory journalism — including FAQs, visual-driven stories and analytical pieces — that makes economic developments accessible to a broad audience. 

• Center the experiences of workers, consumers and communities affected by economic change. 

• Collaborate with graphics, data and visual teams to produce storytelling that is innovative and impactful. 

The Skills and Experiences You Bring: 

• A track record of producing impactful reporting on economics, business, public policy or related fields. 

• Demonstrated ability to break news and deliver ambitious enterprise on competitive beats. 

• Comfort working with data and economic research, with the ability to translate complex material into clear prose. 

• Strong source-building skills and an ability to cultivate experts and insiders. 

• Clear, engaging writing style and the ability to work quickly under deadline pressure. 

• A collaborative spirit and eagerness to work across teams to elevate storytelling. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and three clips to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Mar. 29 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Economics Editor Jennifer Liberto, Deputy Politics & Government Editor Emily Rauhala and Politics & Government Editor Nick Baumann. 

The salary range for this position is $137,300.00 - $228,900.00. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.