Wages, California

Entry-Level Hourly Wage	$7.51
25th Percentile	$8.43
50th Percentile	$12.38
75th Percentile	$21.45

Wages, San Joaquin County

Entry-Level Hourly Wage	$6.86
25th Percentile	$7.41
50th Percentile	$9.24
75th Percentile	$13.03

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
The broadcast day is long for radio and TV stations—some are on the air 24 hours a day—so announcers can expect to work unusual hours. Many present early morning shows, when most people are getting ready for work or commuting, while others do late night programs.

Employment Trends, California

Employment 1998	3,800
Projected Employment 2008	4,000
Percent Change 1998-2008	5.3%
Separations 1998-2008	900

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Announcers usually work in well-lighted, air-conditioned, soundproof studios. Announcers often work within tight schedule constraints, which can be physically and mentally stressful. For many announcers, the intangible rewards-creative work, many personal contacts, and the satisfaction of becoming widely known-far outweigh the disadvantages of irregular and often unpredictable hours, work pressures, and disrupted personal lives.

Advancement
Those hired by television stations usually start out as production assistants, researchers, or reporters and are given a chance to move into announcing if they show an aptitude for “on-air” work. Announcers usually begin at a station in a small community and, if qualified, may move to a better paying job in a large city. They also may advance by hosting a regular program as a disc jockey, sportscaster, or other specialist.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Competition is particularly intense for employment by networks, and employers look for college graduates with at least several years of successful announcing experience. Persons considering enrolling in a broadcasting school should contact personnel managers of radio and television stations as well as broadcasting trade organizations to determine the school’s reputation for producing suitably trained candidates.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

High school and college courses in English, public speaking, drama, foreign languages, and computer science are valuable, and hobbies such as sports and music are additional assets. Students may gain valuable experience at campus radio or TV facilities and at commercial stations while serving as interns. Paid or unpaid internships provide students with hands-on training and the chance to establish contacts in the industry. Unpaid interns often receive college credit and are allowed to observe and assist station employees. Although the Fair Labor Standards Act limits the work unpaid interns may perform in a station, unpaid internships are the rule; sometimes they lead to paid internships. Paid internships are valuable because interns do work ordinarily done by regular employees and may even go on the air.