Hiring guide · Arts, Media & Design
How to Hire a Broadcast Announcer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring broadcast announcers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $47,340), recruit through portfolio sites and creative communities, verify Broadcasting degree where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for broadcast announcers
There are about 21,800 broadcast announcers employed in the U.S., with roughly 2,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -7.6% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $28,190–$35,360 | $13.55–$17.00 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $138,440 | $66.56 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Voice delivery
- Personality
Nice-to-haves
- Broadcasting degree
- FCC rules knowledge
- Voice training
- Experience with mixing boards
Where to find broadcast announcers
- Portfolio sites and creative communities
- Art, design, film and journalism school career centers
- Freelancers who have already worked with your team
- Professional associations such as AIGA and PRSA
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Radio DJ, Radio Host, Sports Announcer, Podcast Host
Screening checklist
- Portfolio or reel review
- A short paid test project
- Software proficiency check
- References from clients or creative directors
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Send an air check.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “How do you prepare a show?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “How do you handle dead air?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you work odd hours?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why radio?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Do a Tight Radio Break (see the steps)
- Interview a Guest on Air (see the steps)
- Call Play-by-Play (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Studio, Live broadcast, FCC
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Broadcast Announcer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Broadcast Announcer training. Show them the path forward: Board Operator → Part-Time Host → Full-Time Host → Program Director.
Hiring broadcast announcers: FAQ
How much should I pay a broadcast announcer?
The U.S. median wage for broadcast announcers is $47,340 per year ($22.76/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($35,360), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($75,480). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a broadcast announcer have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Broadcasting degree and FCC rules knowledge where relevant, plus skills such as voice delivery, scriptwriting, and interviewing.
How long does it take to train a new broadcast announcer?
Becoming qualified typically takes Degree plus station experience. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”