News anchors make an average salary of around $48,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
But keep in mind there are many factors taken into account when determining pay, including experience, market size, location, and the size of the employer. For example, news anchors working in locations with larger audience sizes and for bigger networks or cable news will generally make higher salaries.
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• The average annual salary for a news anchor is approximately $48,000.
• Entry-level news reporters typically earn about $42,378 annually.
• Factors influencing pay include experience, market size, and employer size.
• Top news anchors can earn upwards of $100,000 per year.
• News anchor roles often come with benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
What Are News Anchors?
News anchors are journalists who are responsible for delivering the news to their audience. These professionals can work for a television, radio, cable, or media outlet. Some work in local markets, while others broadcast in national markets or on cable news.
News anchors spend some days in the newsroom and others covering a story out in the field. Many start their careers as reporters, covering a specific beat or coverage area, like state and local government, education, or local businesses.
As a news anchor, it’s important to stay up to date on current events and have strong interview, researching, and writing skills. And since you’ll likely handle breaking news from time to time, it also helps if you’re good at multitasking and staying calm under pressure.
News anchors also have a lot of interaction with other people and work with a team, including producers, reporters, audio engineers, and camera operators. If this much interaction isn’t the right fit for you, you may want to look into jobs for introverts.
Like many journalism roles, a news anchor requires a bachelor’s degree. Internships can be a great way to gain experience in the field, establish contacts, and start building your professional network.
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How Much Do Starting News Anchors Make?
An entry-level news reporter makes an average of $42,378 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
That said, there are many factors that come into play when determining salary, such as location and experience. It’s common for news anchors to start their careers as reporters in small local markets and work their way up to anchor desks in larger news markets. Bigger markets — and more viewers — typically bring higher salaries.
Many considerations should go into what makes a good entry-level salary, including work schedule flexibility, paid time off, and benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan.
Recommended: How to Save for Retirement
What Is the Average Salary for a News Anchor?
As mentioned, the average salary for a news anchor is $48,077 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. If you want to break it down to how much a news anchor makes an hour, the average is roughly $23.
For the top earners, the average salary is around $58,500 a year, and for the bottom 25th percentile the average salary is $40,000. Some news anchors, usually those working at major news networks, can make more than $100,000 a year.
However, no matter how much you earn, it’s a good idea to set short- and long-term financial goals. A money tracker app can help you monitor your spending and saving and also provide useful insights.
What Is the Average News Anchor Salary by State?
While some news anchors take home a hefty salary, journalism roles tend not to be the highest-paying jobs in a state.
Here are the average salaries for broadcasters, which includes news anchors, by state, according to job site Indeed.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,440 |
| Alaska | $50,158 |
| Arizona | $67,395 |
| Arkansas | $50,095 |
| California | $54,037 |
| Colorado | $38,191 |
| Connecticut | $35,679 |
| Delaware | $48,850 |
| District of Columbia | $72,020 |
| Florida | $58,604 |
| Georgia | $53,861 |
| Hawaii | $48,486 |
| Idaho | $37,746 |
| Illinois | $43,937 |
| Indiana | $40,036 |
| Iowa | $36,817 |
| Kansas | $48,507 |
| Kentucky | $73,544 |
| Louisiana | $33,166 |
| Maine | $48,112 |
| Maryland | $82,211 |
| Massachusetts | $50,718 |
| Michigan | $30,325 |
| Minnesota | $37,208 |
| Mississippi | $28,231 |
| Missouri | $39,389 |
| Montana | $26,619 |
| Nebraska | $35,524 |
| Nevada | $41,694 |
| New Hampshire | $39,691 |
| New Jersey | $54,005 |
| New Mexico | $33,998 |
| New York | $68,577 |
| North Carolina | $48,594 |
| North Dakota | $47,960 |
| Ohio | $35,806 |
| Oklahoma | $27,667 |
| Oregon | $64,004 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,982 |
| Rhode Island | $49,548 |
| South Carolina | $47,231 |
| South Dakota | $46,124 |
| Tennessee | $38,544 |
| Texas | $35,351 |
| Utah | $43,523 |
| Vermont | $47,257 |
| Virginia | $29,835 |
| Washington | $97,632 |
| West Virginia | $46,234 |
| Wisconsin | $57,765 |
| Wyoming | $40,005 |
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News Anchor Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
Being in the news industry means covering fresh stories and meeting new people every day, but the pace can be relentless. Breaking news can happen at any time and anywhere, which can mean working beyond a typical 9-5 schedule and having to travel unexpectedly.
News anchor compensations can also include benefits like a retirement savings plan and health insurance. Some roles may also come with added perks like car services and wardrobe stipends. Bonuses can also be common in the industry.
It’s important to note that the journalism industry can be shaky and is expected to shrink in the coming years. The Labor Department forecasts that employment of news analysts, reporters, and journalism will drop 3% from 2022-2032. That means that it expects there to be 56,600 jobs in the industry in 2032 compared to 58,500 in 2022.
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Pros and Cons of News Anchor Salary
There are many factors to consider when evaluating a salary, including the local cost of living and your spending and debt levels. Advancing into bigger markets can bring a substantial pay increase for news anchors.
The life of a news anchor can seem glamorous between the wardrobe, hair and makeup, and lights and cameras. But the news cycle can be draining, and there isn’t a lot of flexibility when it comes to the schedule or remote work options.
Morning news anchors will start their days before the sun comes up, preparing for interviews, catching up on news, and reviewing a show’s rundown. If you are looking for roles with more flexibility, you may want to explore work-from-home jobs.
The Takeaway
Becoming a news anchor means taking on the responsibility of delivering news to viewers. A typical news anchor salary is around $48,077 a year, per ZipRecruiter.
But that figure can vary depending on experience, the size of the employer, the size of the market, and other factors. Typically, news anchors start their careers in smaller, local markets. As they gain more experience, they may have opportunities to advance to larger markets, which tend to pay more.
If you’re passionate about the news and want to help keep your community informed, a career as a news anchor may be right for you.
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FAQ
What is the highest-paying news anchor job?
Generally speaking, news anchors can make more working in a major, national market. For instance, prime-time television news anchors who work for major media broadcasters can earn millions per year.
Do news anchors make $100k a year?
Anchors who work at a major news network might earn more than $100,000 a year. However, the average salary is closer to $48,077 a year.
How much do news anchors make starting out?
According to ZipRecruiter, an entry-level news reporter earns around $42,378 per year. Location, experience, and the size of the employer can all play a role in a starting salary for a news anchor.
Photo credit: iStock/milanvirijevic
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