The Average Salary for a Sportscaster
Filling in the audience at home or in the stadium on the play-by-play, sportscasters are tasked with far more than just reporting what's happening on the field, ice or diamond. Sportscasters must think quickly and rely on banks of knowledge of player statistics, team history and game rules while keeping up with the lightning-fast pace of the game. Sportscasters may also be tasked to fill in downtime or report related breaking news.
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Facts
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For 2009, sportscasters pulled in an average salary of approximately $41,590 per year, as reported in the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2009 wages study. Unsurprisingly, the top-paying industry for sportscasters was spectator sports, paying far above the median at $77,980 per year. Cable and subscription programming also paid sportscasters higher, at $55,270 per year, as did colleges and universities, at $46,340.
Location
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No one particular area of the country had a pattern for the highest paying sportscaster salaries. New Jersey was the top 2009 payer, offering an annual mean wage of $60,500. Across the country, Washington state held second place at $58,500. In third place, Arizona averaged $54,860. Both Massachusetts, at $54,820, and California, at $54,380, were close behind and still above the median.
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Considerations
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There isn't one particular entry point required to earn a salary as a sportscaster. While an enthusiasm for sports and the ability to speak clearly are important, employers may look to hire applicants who have completed college programs in broadcasting, public speaking, public relations, sports or communications.
Outlook
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The playing field for sportscasters is expected to narrow, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS projects a 4-percent decline or loss of about 3,400 jobs due to the proliferation of recording devices, syndicated programing and alternate media sources. The BLS suggests that sportscasters with prior work experience, computer skills and a built-in audience will have the best opportunity to earn salaries in the field.
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References
- Photo Credit Announcer and dj at small broadcasting station image by Oleg Kulakov from Fotolia.com
