What Does A Radio and Television Announcer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

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.

Salary
$57300
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match


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

Average

Is this job meaningful

Average

69% said they were satisfied with their job and 50% said they found their job meaningful.


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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


A small town radio station

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

$57300 per year

Average hourly wage

$28 per hour

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

Less than 40 hours
9%

40 hours
50%

More than 40 hours
41%

Working schedule

70%

30%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
6%

Every day
85%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
2%

Every day
92%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
14%

Every day
80%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
7%

Once a year
12%

Once a month
45%

Once a week
10%

Every day
24%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
2%

Moderately competitive
19%

Highly competitive
21%

Extremely competitive
58%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
12%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
71%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
56%

Once a year or more
6%

Once a month or more
27%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
1%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
13%

Once a year or more
61%

Once a month or more
15%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
11%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
34%

Once a year or more
53%

Once a month or more
11%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
1%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
9%

High School Diploma or equivalent
7%

Post-Secondary Certificate
1%

Some College Courses
10%

Associate’s Degree or similar
10%

Bachelor’s Degree
55%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
8%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Radio and Television

A program that focuses on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages, and that prepares individuals to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. Includes instruction in media aesthetics; planning, scheduling, and production; writing and editing; performing and directing; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law, and policy; and principles of broadcast technology.

Sports Communication

A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that prepares individuals to be sports reporters and writers, photojournalists, radio and television announcers, producers and directors, recreational sports promoters, and public relations specialists. Includes instruction in sports writing, photography, broadcast journalism, sports production, game rules, media and public relations, and sports promotion.

Communication

A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.


Speech Communication and Rhetoric

A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.

Broadcast Journalism

A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media; and that prepares individuals to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. Includes instruction in the principles of broadcast technology; broadcast reporting; on- and off-camera and microphone procedures and techniques; program, sound, and video/film editing; program design and production; media law and policy; and professional standards and ethics.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
3%

1 month
2%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
12%

1 to 2 years
2%

2 to 4 years
53%

4 to 6 years
7%

6 to 8 years
6%

8 to 10 years
6%

Over 10 years
7%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
2%

1 month
40%

1 to 3 months
22%

3 to 6 months
2%

6 months to 1 year
28%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
6%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

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.

The Builder
14%

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.


The Thinker
29%

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.


The Artist
81%

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.


The Helper
67%

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.


The Leader
76%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
29%

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?

Achievement
76%

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.

Working Conditions
55%

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.

Recognition
71%

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.

Relationships
62%

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.

Support
67%

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.

Independence
71%

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.

FAQ


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