Radio Announcers, TV Announcers, And Newscasters Jobs Stats
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What Announcers Do
Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these topics or other important events. Some act as a master of ceremonies (emcee) or disc jockey (DJ) at weddings, parties, or clubs.
Work Environment
Many announcers work in radio and television studios. Others work for sports teams or are self-employed. Many announcers work part time.
How to Become an Announcer
Educational requirements for announcers vary. Radio and television announcers typically have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications, along with work experience at their college radio or television station. Public address announcers typically need a high school diploma, along with short-term on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage of radio and television announcers was $26,850 in May 2010. The median annual wage of public address and other announcers was $27,910 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Employment of radio and television announcers is projected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment of public address system and other announcers is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Experienced, formally trained announcers should have the best job prospects.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers with similar occupations.
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Contacts for More Information
Learn more about announcers by contacting these additional resources.
Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these topics or other important events. Some act as a master of ceremonies (emcee) or disc jockey (DJ) at weddings, parties, or clubs.
Duties
- Radio and television 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 and 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
- Make promotional appearances at public or private events
Radio and television announcers present music or the news
and comment on important current events. Announcers
are expected to be up to date on current events or a
specific field, such as politics or sports, so that they
comment on these issues during their programs. They may
research and prepare information on these topics before
appearing on-air. In addition, announcers schedule guests on
their shows and work with producers to develop other
creative content for their programs.
Radio and television
announcers also may be responsible for other aspects of
television or radio. They may operate studio equipment, sell
commercial time to advertisers, and produce advertisements
and other recorded material. At many radio stations,
announcers do much of the work that editors and broadcast
technicians used to do, such as broadcasting programming,
commercials, and public-service announcements.
Many radio and television announcers increasingly
maintain a presence on social media networking sites.
Establishing a presence allows them to promote their
stations and better engage with their audiences through
listener feedback, music requests, or program contests.
Many radio stations now require DJs to update their
station’s website with show schedules, interviews, or
photos.
Public address system and other announcers typically do the following:
- Meet with the event director to review the schedule and obtain other event details
- Present information or announcements, such as train schedules or security precautions
- Introduce up-coming acts and guide the audience through the entertainment
- Provide commentary for a live audience during sporting events
- Make promotional appearances at public or private events
- The work of public address system announcers varies greatly depending on where they are working.
For example, a ringmaster at a circus directs the audience’s attention to the appropriate act. Their role is to enhance the performance and entertain and inform the audience. They may prepare their own scripts or improvise lines in their speeches.
Train announcers are responsible for reading prepared
scripts containing details and data related to train
schedules and safety procedures. Their work is not
entertainment, but informational.
Public address
announcers for a sports team may have to give starting
lineups—an official list of players who will participate in
the event—read advertisements, and announce the players as
they enter and exit the game.
The following are examples of types of announcers:
- DJs broadcast music for radio stations, typically specializing in one kind of music genre and announcing selections as they air them. While on-air, DJs comment on the music, weather, and traffic. They may take requests from listeners, interview guests, and manage listener contests.
- Talk show hosts may work in radio or television and specialize in a certain area of interest, such as politics, personal finance, sports, or health. They contribute to the preparation of the program’s content, interview guests, and discuss issues with viewers, listeners, or the studio or radio audience.
- Public address system announcers provide information to the audience at sporting, performing arts, and other events.
- Party DJs are hired to provide music and commentary
at an event, such as a wedding, birthday party, or
corporate party. Many DJs use digital files or portable
media devices.
Emcees host planned events. They introduce speakers or performers to the audience. They may tell jokes or provide commentary to transition from one speaker to the next.
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13
Edition, Announcers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/announcers.htm (visited August
17, 2012).
