An "Amazing" Career that pays squatt

[X-14]

On a voiceover forum that I belong to some guy was asking about getting into broadcasting and going to broadcasting schools. Overwhelmingly he was encouraged to NOT waste his money and to also pursue some other career if he ever wanted to make any money or have any kind of career path.

Sadly, the stats are bearing out that we are in a dying profession.

The Boston Globe recently listed 30 of the fastest declining professions and - you guessed it - broadcasting was on the list:

http://www.boston.com/bostonworks/galleries/30fast_declining_occupations?pg=28

But interestingly, today cnn.com listed 'news reporting and broadcasting' in its list of the most 'amazing jobs A-Z'. For reasons that escape me they say that news reporting is an amazing job, but the listed average salary, which seems pretty accurate to me at around $33,400, is way towards the bottom end of the salaries listed for all the jobs. Here's the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/11/cb.amazing.jobs/index.html

 

[partyshark]

What VO board? I am getting into the VO biz to suppliment my radio income (go figure) and am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.
Thanks

 

[Twitch]

I am getting into the VO biz to suppliment my radio income

There are just too many things wrong with this sentence.

 

[Ssummers]

I am getting into the VO biz to suppliment my radio income

There are just too many things wrong with this sentence.

That's some funny shit, man. True as hell, but funny shit.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

These numbers come from a link (in one of the above articles) to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics: (and note to forum moderators: this is a government website so it's public domain info) - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos087.htm

Salaries in broadcasting vary widely, but generally are relatively low, except for announcers who work for large stations in major markets or for networks. Earnings are higher in television than in radio and higher in commercial broadcasting than in public broadcasting.

Median hourly earnings of wage and salary radio and television announcers in May 2006 were $11.69. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.10 and $18.62. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.55, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $32.98. Median hourly earnings of announcers in the radio and television broadcasting industry were $11.52.

Median hourly earnings of wage and salary public address and other system announcers in May 2006 were $12.02. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.41 and $19.38. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.73 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.69.

What's interestin is that line about earnings being "higher in commercial broadcasting than in public broadcasting." I would bet that if you factored out the high-paid morning shows in commercial radio you might find that public broadcasting announcers in may markets are doing better than their average commercial radio brethern in the same market and compare them with radio news people (such as they are these days). Here in San Diego I doubt there's a radio news anchor making much more than $30,000 a year. When I worked my last AFTRA union news job in San Diego I was making the exact same amount as I did 20 years before - same union, same market, and Metro News got rid my myself and two others because our $3,000 a month was just too much to pay an experienced newscaster in the 21st Century.

 

[Tom Wells]

Yikes! This is a kick in my gut. I AM doing far better installing and repairing hi-tech printing presses than I would have in radio.

Do these numbers reflect engineering wages? Or are they air-talent-only figures?

I'm in Chicago, so apply high-cost-of living assumptions.

 

[The Beave]

hell near Anchorage the full time exempt status pay floats around $35K/yr = Roughly $17.00/hr.

 

[landtuna]

The following sentence from the quoted story tells the whole story:

"Also, the field is very competitive, with many more job seekers than jobs."

The very accurate and old-fashioned law of supply and demand applies.

 

[FloydB]

The following sentence from the quoted story tells the whole story:

"Also, the field is very competitive, with many more job seekers than jobs."

The very accurate and old-fashioned law of supply and demand applies.

And, as the supply is replaced with a voice tracking computer (which, happily, are becoming more human... in some instances) the demand becomes even greater, as manufacturing jobs have been replaced by robots. I quote Will Smith as Detective Del Spooner from iRobot: "Um, look, this isn't what I do, but I've got an idea for one of your commercials. You see... a carpenter, making a beautiful chair. And then one of your robots comes in and makes a better chair twice as fast. And then you superimpose on the screen, "USR: Sh#*tin' on the Little Guy". That would be the fade-out." Now, to all us little guys, repeat after me a phrase from our new career: "You want fries with that?"

 

[The Beave]

You folks are not kidding....

 

[DashRiprock]

Yeah, but what about all the stuff? You guys get free t-shirts, hats, event tickets and all kinds of other swag. That has to count for something...

 

[The Beave]

Nice perks... Ya still gotta pay the rent.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

Thats kind of sad. I love radio... would have chosen it as a career instead of TV, but had a feeling pay would be better in television as well as not being fired so easily. The choice I made in 1987 turned out to be the right one (been at the same company since 1990 and pay has shot up the 2nd half of my career). I'm not suggesting things could still turn out ugly at any time. I do worry about a layoff, but seeing the scary radio reports on this board over the years is even worse.

One thing, I'm sure many of us in the broadcasting industry chose it because it looked enjoyable. I knew when I was in college that I was choosing a career not known for high pay beyond big personalities. Sometimes a lower paying job is fine when you really enjoy what you are doing. Um, but the pay listed in this thread is a bit low, yeah?

 

[romer979fm]

Yeah, but what about all the stuff? You guys get free t-shirts, hats, event tickets and all kinds of other swag.

not anymore: that ship has sailed...

 

[Twitch]

Yeah, but what about all the stuff? You guys get free t-shirts, hats, event tickets and all kinds of other swag.

not anymore: that ship has sailed...

I hear that!

We've now been relegated to stealing used station branded pens from the coffee mug in the control room. You know the mug I'm talking about? It's the one that also has a couple of sticky pennies, a few paper clips, a dry highlighter, and a couple of stretched out rubber bands.

 

[knowsnews1]

There's only one reason to go into broadcasting; because you cannot imagine doing anything else. And, if that's your take, then you love this profession.

Can you make more money elsewhere, doing something other than talking for a living? Sure. Would you enjoy doing something else? If you love broadcasting, then no.

I've been in radio for close to 29 years now, doing news for the majority of that time (I did program 2 FMs in Florida, which was equivalent to having a nervous breakdown with a paycheck). And, after 29 years, I've never had the same day twice. How many other people in other professions can say that? For me, everyday is like Christmas; you never know what you're going to get.

Could the salary be more? Of course. But, like someone once told me, they pay you to talk, there's no heavy lifting, and you'll never pay for baseball tickets again. He was right on all 3 counts.

 

[radioray]

If you want the best of both worlds buy a station. Then you can do whatever you want and still make okay money....IF you know what you are doing. It's all up to you in that case. No more blaming the PD, the consultant, "corporate", etc.

I tell all my friends to figure out a way to buy a station. It's still doable.

 

[Jody-Thornton]

If you want the best of both worlds buy a station. Then you can do whatever you want and still make okay money....IF you know what you are doing. It's all up to you in that case. No more blaming the PD, the consultant, "corporate", etc.

I tell all my friends to figure out a way to buy a station. It's still doable.

I really wish I had the money and the goods to impress the CRTC to be able to do that.

Cheers,
Jody Thornton
(Hamilton, Ontario)

 

[radiohawkins]

These numbers come from a link (in one of the above articles) to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics: (and note to forum moderators: this is a government website so it's public domain info) - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos087.htm

Salaries in broadcasting vary widely, but generally are relatively low, except for announcers who work for large stations in major markets or for networks. Earnings are higher in television than in radio and higher in commercial broadcasting than in public broadcasting.

Median hourly earnings of wage and salary radio and television announcers in May 2006 were $11.69. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.10 and $18.62. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.55, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $32.98. Median hourly earnings of announcers in the radio and television broadcasting industry were $11.52.

Median hourly earnings of wage and salary public address and other system announcers in May 2006 were $12.02. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.41 and $19.38. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.73 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.69.

What's interestin is that line about earnings being "higher in commercial broadcasting than in public broadcasting." I would bet that if you factored out the high-paid morning shows in commercial radio you might find that public broadcasting announcers in may markets are doing better than their average commercial radio brethern in the same market and compare them with radio news people (such as they are these days). Here in San Diego I doubt there's a radio news anchor making much more than $30,000 a year. When I worked my last AFTRA union news job in San Diego I was making the exact same amount as I did 20 years before - same union, same market, and Metro News got rid my myself and two others because our $3,000 a month was just too much to pay an experienced newscaster in the 21st Century.

Are you serious Bob? Only $30k in San Diego!?

 

[The Beave]

When I got into radio, Tim Bird, (The Birdman) was in Phoenix and He is a guy that knew where to find success. I remember him shaking his head at ads thet would invite people to get into radio through a tv pitch that said "Why work for a living...Work in radio." for some it had them hooked, sure quickie broadcast schools used to be a fast ticket to the show in radio, but most of the stations were on the dereg. kick and automated stations were soon the thing.

Still 20-30k/yr seems to be the par. When it should be as advertized 40-50K. :-\