GoKawiilJeopardy! opens rare clue-writer job, draws 1,300+ applicants for grueling test
Jeopardy! publicly advertised its clue-writing position for the first time in the show's 42-year history, attracting over 1,300 applicants in just eight days for a role paying up to $178,000 annually. Candidates faced the same 50-question test given to contestants, plus had to draft full rounds of categories and clues sourced only from verifiable references, with Wikipedia and AI tools explicitly forbidden.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The rigorous hiring process highlights how much craft goes into a format many viewers assume is simple trivia, particularly the skill of writing clues precise enough to have only one correct response. With producers noting the show churns through more than 25,000 clues a year, this opening signals future hiring needs and offers rare insight into the show's editorial standards.
- Jeopardy! publicly posted its clue-writer opening for the first time ever, paying up to $178,000.
- Applicants had to pass the contestant test and submit full clue sets under strict sourcing rules banning Wikipedia and AI.
- Producers say more writers will be needed given the franchise's output of over 25,000 clues annually.
Jeopardy! The Official Trivia Game — If reading about the clue-writing gauntlet made you want to test your own trivia chops, this official Jeopardy! game brings the buzzer-and-answer-in-question format to your table. It's a fun way to practice thinking in categories — and to see whether you could pin a clue to exactly one answer like the pros do.
See Jeopardy! The Official Trivia Game on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entrepreneur.com — Jonathan Small, 2026-09-09
Published there as: “‘Jeopardy!’ Will Pay You $178,000 to Write Clues. But First, You Have to Survive This Test.”
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