Radio/TV Announcer/Newscaster

Print

Work Tasks

• Radio announcers select and introduce music; report news, weather, sports, and commercials; interview guests; and report community activities
• May run the control board, sell commercial time to advertisers, and write commercials and news copy
• TV announcers specialize in a specific thing like sports and must know a lot about the subject
• Present stories and introduce video tapes and live reports from reporters
• Work in studios for commercial and public radio and TV broadcasting stations
• Work with audio and video tapes, CDs, scripts, commercials, computers, microphones, control boards, cameras, and other equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $55,000 average per year ($26.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (40,100 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (0.4% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree from a college or technical school
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in communications, broadcasting, or journalism
• Skills/Courses: College courses include English and public speaking. Starting jobs are usually production assistants, researchers, or reporters.