What Is the Average Income of a Newscaster?
Newscasters research and prepare stories, and broadcast them to the public either live or through taped media. At large stations, they may specialize in specific types of news such as sports or weather. Most employers prefer newscasters with a bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications. Good computer, research and interviewing skills are also essential.
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Conditions
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Newscasters often work under hectic conditions. They may need to broadcast stories with almost no preparation. Some work exclusively from comfortable studios, while others need to travel to different locations locally, nationally or internationally, under different weather conditions and unstable political situations. Those that work full time are paid a median $50,400 per year, with a range of $24,790 to $138,690. Those that work part time or by the project earn $24.23 per hour, with a range of $11.92 to $66.68. This information is from May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.
Industries
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The industry that hires the most newscasters is radio and television broadcasting, which contains 87 percent of the 5,070 positions, and pays better than the median at $32.92 per hour or $68,480 annually. The best paying industry for the profession is cable and other subscription programming, with wages at $35.45 per hour or $73,740 annually. The 340 jobs here make it relatively harder to break into this workplace.
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Geography
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The state with the best employment opportunities for newscasters is the District of Columbia, with a job concentration of 0.25 professionals per thousand workers. This area pays higher than the median at $32.16 hourly, or $66,890 annually. The state with the best paying employers is Florida, with wages at $52.16 per hour, or $108,500 annually. Job concentration here is only a 12th that of Washington, D.C. at 0.02 per thousand. With cities, the best employment is in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with 0.6 newscasters per thousand. Pay here is far less than average at $16.59 per hour because of the state's much lower cost of living. The highest salaries are in Denver, Colorado, at $57.19 per hour. However, this state only offers 80 positions.
Opportunities
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The BLS predicts jobs declining by six percent from 2008 to 2018. This is because of the consolidation of TV and radio stations. This is slightly balanced by opportunities in new technology such as the Internet or mobile devices. Competition will be fierce because many talented individuals see newscasting as glamorous. The best job opportunities will go to those with a background in journalism, and expertise in a specific field such as politics, health or economics.
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References
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