Career comparison
Broadcast Announcer vs. Meteorologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Meteorologists earn more at the median ($99,070 vs. $47,340), while broadcast announcers usually get to work faster (Degree plus station experience of training). Broadcast announcers host radio shows, call games and present news and music on air. Meteorologists forecast weather and study the atmosphere.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Broadcast Announcer | Meteorologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,340 ($22.76/hr) | $99,070 ($47.63/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,190 – $138,440 | $53,060 – $161,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.6% (a projected decline) | +2.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 800 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Degree plus station experience | 4-year degree |
| Key credential | Broadcasting degree | CBM |
| Work setting | Announcers work in studios and at live events.. | Meteorologists work in forecast offices, TV studios and labs.. |
What each job does
Broadcast Announcer
- Host shows
- Introduce music
- Read news and ads
- Interview guests
- Call games
Meteorologist
- Analyze weather data
- Run forecast models
- Issue forecasts
- Issue warnings
- Study climate
How they’re similar
Both careers involve shift work. They sit in different fields, arts, media & design and science, engineering & lab, but share transferable skills such as personality and calm under pressure.
Which should you choose?
Choose broadcast announcer if…
- I love talking
- I think fast
- I have a strong voice
Choose meteorologist if…
- I love weather
- I like math and physics
- I can make quick decisions
Still torn? Take the Broadcast Announcer fit quiz and the Meteorologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, broadcast announcer or meteorologist?
Meteorologists earn more at the median: $99,070 versus $47,340 for broadcast announcers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Broadcast Announcers typically train faster (Degree plus station experience) than meteorologists (4-year degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects meteorologists to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with -7.6% for broadcast announcers.