Best Cities to Work in If You Want a Dream Media Job

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Rachel Deahl is a columnist, news director, and e-book author for Publishers Weekly who has had a career in journalism or publishing since 2002.
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Rachel Deahl
Updated November 20, 2019

Wondering what the best cities to work in America are? Well, when it comes time to looking for a media job, there are some cities with a leg up in when it comes to the availability of jobs in the media industry. While New York is the center of the media world, it’s far from the only place to find a job or establish a lengthy and successful career.

On Location

Whether you are a writer, reporter, editor, content developer, communications specialist, producer, broadcast journalist, or news anchor, your location can have a large impact on the number of jobs available to you. Your chances of finding the perfect media job go up considerably if you decide to relocate to a city with a large media company headquartered in it.

Most people know that scoring their dream job—especially in the glamorous and highly competitive world of media—is a lot more difficult in a small town. But if you have to make a move, which cities give you the most bang for your buck? Here’s a rundown of what various cities have to offer in the way of major magazine publications, and radio and television broadcasting:

New York, NY for Publishing Careers

A view of the New York skyline at night
Afton Almaraz/Getty Images

New York City is unique because it's both a hub for numerous industries, like finance and fashion, as well as for publishing itself. All the major magazine publishers are based here, along with all the big book publishers. Also, most of the major news networks are based here as well. The big names include:

  • Time Inc. ( People, Sports Illustrated, Time) 
  • Hearst Magazines (Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Elle)
  • Associated Press (world's oldest and largest newsgathering organization)
  • HBO
  • NBC Universal
  • Sony BMG Time Warner
  • MTV
  • Condé Nast Publications (Vogue, Glamour, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair)
  • Wenner Media (Rolling Stone, US Weekly)

Los Angeles, CA for Entertainment Careers

Los Angeles at sunrise
Carl Larson Photography/Getty Images

LA is home to Hollywood, which means it’s a great town to be an entertainment reporter in. And aside from the great weather and year-round access to a beach in one of the major cities in the country, it's also home to a number of other TV and media outlets for those who want to do something other than entertainment journalism.

Twentieth Century Fox and Fox Sports Productions Inc. have offices in Los Angeles, as do Southern California News Group, American Public Media, and Telemundo (NBC Universal-owned television station). For something a little different from traditional media companies, Hulu and Netflix Inc., two live streaming TV companies, are also based in the LA area.

Washington, D.C. for Political Reporting

Jefferson Memorial with the Capitol Dome at dawn
Deb Snelson/Getty Images

Since Washington, D.C., is the seat of the US national government, it’s a mecca for political reporters. If you want to cover national politics whether the White House or the House of Representatives—this is the place to be.

Atlanta, GA for Television Media

An elevated view of Atlanta, Georgia's downtown
Gavin Hellier/Getty Images

Not only is Atlanta the national hub of Delta Air Lines, but it's also Ted Turner's home base. Turner, a media mogul, owns a number of major media companies, including CNN, so there's quite a bit of opportunity in this southern city.

Some of the titles regularly posted on the Turner Broadcasting website include associate writer, writer, writer/producer, and managing editor. Turner's divisions produce international, financial, sports, and entertainment news, in addition to Cartoon Network and other ventures.

Des Moines, IA for Magazine Publishing

Des Moines in the winter
Steve Pope/Getty Images

Recently named America's Wealthiest City by the "Today" show, Des Moines, Iowa, may not be a major city. However, it is the home of the Meredith Corporation, a media, and marketing company involved in magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, and brand licensing.

Some of the magazines published by the Meredith Corporation include:

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • Parents
  • Fitness
  • Men's Fitness

Another positive point is that your earnings from a media job in Des Moines may go a lot further compared to other cities since the cost of living is nearly 10 percent below the national average.