This sports announcer covered the Pacquiao vs. Mosley weigh-in.
The salary of a sports announcer varies widely based on factors such as the media--radio vs. television and commercial vs. public broadcasting, for instance. Salaries also fluctuate based on the employer--local vs. national broadcasting or college vs. pro, for example. The employee's level of experience also determines salary figures, with numbers actually declining on average after 20 years of experience.
Nationwide Salary Averages
Nationwide, sports announcers earn between $17,146 and $101,919 per year, according to the PayScale website. Typically, sports announcers earn a salary. These averages include bonuses which range from $514 to $22,500 per year. A 2007 survey by Radio Television Digital News Association and Ball State University shows sports anchors averaged $52,300 per year and sports reporters averaged $32,000 per year. The salary ranges were wide, however. Sports anchor salaries ranged from $10,000 to $400,000 per year, and sports reporters salaries ranged from $16,000 to $100,000 per year.
Radio vs. Television Salaries
Surprisingly, television sports announcers only make slightly more than radio sports announcers. According to PayScale, radio sports announcer salaries range from $19,183 to $95,277 per year, while television sports announcers earn $20,664 to $110,320 per year. Radio sports announcers average $30,236 per year, and television sports announcers average $62,992 per year.
Salary Ranges by Years of Experience
According to PayScale, sports announcers who have been in their career for 20 years or more earn just $19,653 to $54,938 per year. Announcers with just one to four years experience earn slightly more -- not less -- than the veterans at $27,310 to $61,042 per year. The highest salaries go to the sports announcers with 10 to 19 years earn $27,500 to $100,000 per year.
Health Benefits
In addition to salary and bonuses, many sports announcers get health benefits. In fact, according to PayScale, 52 percent get medical insurance, 45 percent get dental insurance, and 28 percent get vision insurance. Sports announcers with no health benefits comprised 45 percent of those surveyed.
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