Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Radio TV Announcers
Radio TV Announcers speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
Table of contents
What they do
Radio TV Announcers speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
- Operate control consoles.
- Record commercials for later broadcast.
- Announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from the listening audiences.
- Study background information to prepare for programs or interviews.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Radio TV Announcers operate control consoles. They announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from the listening audiences.
A typical day for a Radio and Television Announcer will also include:
- Identify stations, and introduce or close shows, ad-libbing or using memorized or read scripts.
- Keep daily program logs to provide information on all elements aired during broadcasts, such as musical selections and station promotions.
- Comment on music and other matters, such as weather or traffic conditions.
- Record commercials for later broadcast.
- Select program content, in conjunction with producers and assistants, based on factors such as program specialties, audience tastes, or requests from the public.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Radio TV Announcers also locate guests to appear on talk or interview shows. They may also moderate panels or discussion shows on topics such as current affairs, art, or education.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Radio TV Announcers make promotional appearances at public or private events to represent their employers. They might also read news flashes to inform audiences of important events.
In addition, they develop storylines for broadcasts.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them record commercials for later broadcasts.
To some Radio TV Announcers, it is also their responsibility to interview show guests about their lives, their work, or topics of current interest.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
69% said they were satisfied with their job and 50% said they found their job meaningful.
My Typical Day 3AM: Out of bed I wake up early, usually 3am unless it was a snow-day (then I wake up at 2am before the plows were even out on the roads). I would drive to my station. 4AM: Arrive to station I would get there at about 4am. I would produce the morning … Read More
My name is Ricki Sanchez and I am the Co-Host of The Woody and Jim Show on 107.5 The River in Nashville. My Typical Day 5:30AM: Arriving to the studio I’m a morning show host so a typical day for me starts by getting to the studio at 5:30am. 5:50-10AM: Live show Our first live … Read More
I’m a staff voice over artist for the BBC (Continuity Announcer) which means navigating our viewers through the day and letting them know what’s coming up now and next. I’ll watch all the day’s programmes in advance and then write scripts which are announced live throughout the day! My typical day I’ve been a staff Continuity … Read More
Working for five small-town radio stations over seven years taught me many life lessons – one of which was that radio was not the best career choice for me! As a novice announcer, I began my career by working a late-night shift for low pay. I found there was tough competition to find and keep … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Salary is below average.
Demand for this career is not growing.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Radio TV Announcers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $19,580 to $25,110 per year or $9 to $12 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $114,050 | $55 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $59,980 | $29 |
Median | $36,770 | $18 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $25,110 | $12 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $19,580 | $9 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Radio TV Announcers based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Spectator Sports | $108080 | $51.96 |
Other Information Services | $71120 | $34.19 |
Junior Colleges | $62250 | $29.93 |
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $58100 | $27.93 |
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $57750 | $27.77 |
Radio and Television Broadcasting | $55150 | $26.51 |
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $42900 | $20.62 |
Elementary and Secondary Schools | $39750 | $19.11 |
Local Government | $35840 | $17.23 |
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $34790 | $16.73 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Radio TV Announcers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Radio TV Announcers including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Radio and Television Broadcasting | 23140 | $55150 | $26.51 |
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 800 | $57750 | $27.77 |
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 600 | $58100 | $27.93 |
Other Information Services | 590 | $71120 | $34.19 |
Cable and Other Subscription Programming | 440 | $ | $* |
Spectator Sports | 380 | $108080 | $51.96 |
Motion Picture and Video Industries | 190 | $ | $* |
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | 170 | $34790 | $16.73 |
Junior Colleges | 110 | $62250 | $29.93 |
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 70 | $ | $* |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Radio and Television
Sports Communication
Communication
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Broadcast Journalism
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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