How Much Do News Anchors Make in Every State?

Television personalities and news anchors have a broad differential within their compensation ranges. National network news presenters use agents to help them bag multi-million-dollar contracts. At the same time, entry-level newscasters in small rural markets often earn an amount that’s barely above minimum wage. Usually, the salary a newscaster earns is based on the size of the market the newscaster works in, paired with experience and popularity, tabulated via television ratings. As such, a reporter’s salary or news anchor salary is typically determined by corresponding advertising rates and market size.

Job Description

Radio and Television market sizes are determined by the population of the cities in which they function. Generally, newscasters in small, and even in mid-sized markets are responsible for working double duty as writers and reporters. They produce into recorded segments called “packages” or help generate the news copy they read on the air.

Newscasters may also have to build oversight. They work with assignment editors to determine news items and stories to cover and shape the direction of story angles. When air time arrives, television news anchors are responsible for looking professional on-air, bantering with co-hosts, reading stories, and keeping the program on track. They may also introduce news segments, conduct live interviews, and report from the field in some cases.

Education Requirements

A master or a bachelor’s degree in mass communication or broadcast journalism is generally the minimum entry into the field of broadcast journalism. Having education or knowledge in an area related to the topic the reporter is covering can also be an asset. For instance, a political reporter who has a political science degree will have more credibility than a political reporter without a political science degree. The remuneration of a news anchor may also be determined based on the anchor’s educational credentials (1).

Industry

Newscasters may work in network, commercial, cable, or public television or radio stations. They may work via podcast, with in-house corporate news networks or even for online news services. News anchors may also find employment as correspondents in which they represent a specific part of the state or country or world, or as freelancers, pitching newsworthy events to cover or going on assignment.

[ Read: Steps on How to Become a Columnist ]

How Much Do News Anchors Make

Careers in the U. S:

Moving up the ranks as a news anchor is often a combination of luck and experience. Journalists who can communicate well, are exceptional writers, and have a trustworthy image and influential contacts typically are promoted through the ranks because of their credibility. A strong following can translate into more exceptional ratings, which, in turn, determines the advertising charges that broadcast companies can charge. News anchors who help draw big-money advertising often have more room to negotiate their compensation.

0-5 years: $26,351 – $82,950
5-10 years: $34,751 – $120,529
10-20 years: $39,825 – $149,989
Over 20 years: $42,535 – $196,129

Careers in Europe:

Starting salaries vary significantly between domestic and national broadcasters, but can range from around £16,000 to £25,000. At the senior level or with several years’ experience, salaries may range from £35,000 to £65,000. Highly experienced and high-profile journalists on television may command salaries of £85,000+.

Careers in Asia:

An entry-level news anchor (1-5 years of experience) earns an average salary of $68,685. On the other hand, a senior level news anchor (9+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $120,819. The average news anchor salary in Singapore, Singapore, is $97,059 or an equivalent hourly rate of $47. This is 0% lower (+$31) than the average news anchor salary in Singapore. Moreover, they earn an average bonus of $2,756.

[ Read: How to Become a Journalist? ]

Job Growth Trends

The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that jobs in the announcing fields and newscasting are anticipated to decline at a rate of approximately 9 percent through 2026. The decrease in job availability is tied to an overall trend in media consumption, which is majorly online. Those with experience will probably earn top TV anchor remuneration ranges.