Announcers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
- Education Required
- Public address announcers typically need a high school diploma. Radio and television announcers typically need a bachelors degree in communications, broadcasting, or journalism, but some jobs only require a high school diploma.
- Training Required
- Public address system and other announcers typically need short-term on-the-job training upon being hired. This training allows these announcers to become familiar with the equipment they will be using during sporting and entertainment events. For sports public address announcers, training also may include basic rules and information for the sports they are covering.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: -8% (Decline)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Because radio and television stations in smaller markets have smaller staff, advancement within the same small-market station is unlikely. Rather, many radio and television announcers advance by relocating to a large-market station.
- Median pay: How much do Announcers make?
- $30,830 Annual Salary
- $14.82 per hour
Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these other important topics. Some act as masters of ceremonies (emcees) or disc jockeys (DJs) at weddings, parties, or clubs.
What do Announcers do?
Announcers typically do the following:
- Present music, news, sports, the weather, the time, and commercials
- Interview guests and moderate panels or discussions on their shows
- Announce station programming information, such as program schedules, station breaks for commercials, or public service information
- Research topics for comment and discussion during shows
- Read prepared scripts on radio or television shows
- Comment on important news stories
- Provide commentary for the audience during sporting events, at parades, and on other occasions
- Select program content
- Introduce upcoming acts and guide the audience through the entertainment
- Make promotional appearances at public or private events
Careers for Announcers
- Commercial announcers
- Emcees
- Game show hosts
- Master of ceremonies
- Public address announcers
- Public address system announcers
- Radio and television announcers
- Radio artists
- Radio disk jockeys
- Radio hosts
- Ringmasters
- Talk show hosts
- Television hosts
- Train announcers
- Train callers