Post job

News anchor vs news producer

The differences between news anchors and news producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a news anchor, becoming a news producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a news producer has an average salary of $54,608, which is higher than the $43,198 average annual salary of a news anchor.

The top three skills for a news anchor include news content, facebook and twitter. The most important skills for a news producer are assignment desk, control room, and story development.

News anchor vs news producer overview

News AnchorNews Producer
Yearly salary$43,198$54,608
Hourly rate$20.77$26.25
Growth rate-10%8%
Number of jobs3,60711,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 90%
Average age4040
Years of experience412

What does a news anchor do?

A news anchor presents and reports the news to the public, usually through television news broadcast or radio. They must keep the people informed of the current events, locally or internationally. They typically coordinate with directors and staff to prepare for broadcast, conduct research, introduce news correspondence, ask questions, utilize or revise scripts, and deliver news articulately and professionally. They may also share insights and commentary, should the segment require. Furthermore, a news anchor must adhere to the station's policies and regulations, including the moral codes of journalism.

What does a news producer do?

A News Producer supervises the editorial content of the news to ensure that news stories are produced and presented to the public in a quality manner. They collaborate with the news director to select and prioritize content to make the broadcast more attractive.

News anchor vs news producer salary

News anchors and news producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

News AnchorNews Producer
Average salary$43,198$54,608
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $59,000Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-The New York Times Company
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between news anchor and news producer education

There are a few differences between a news anchor and a news producer in terms of educational background:

News AnchorNews Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 90%
Most common majorJournalismJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

News anchor vs news producer demographics

Here are the differences between news anchors' and news producers' demographics:

News AnchorNews Producer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 48.7% Female, 51.3%Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%14%

Differences between news anchor and news producer duties and responsibilities

News anchor example responsibilities.

  • Operate AP NEWSCENTER/ENPS and manage CNN feed services.
  • Produce Emmy award-winning features, web content, and weekly consumer blog.
  • Cover a variety of NFL, NCAA and high school events.
  • Co-Launch station Facebook brand, promote and aid expansion to 80K followers.
  • Anchor, write and produce morning newscast for Huntsville's ABC affiliate.
  • Perform live shots, on-air play-by-play, write new script and provide analysis.
  • Show more

News producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day completion activities including project planning and QA testing.
  • Produce daily local traffic reports for distribution to local radio and TV stations.
  • Produce TV documentaries that feature issues relate to sociology, psychology, and advertising.
  • Post news articles and web polls to WRGB s website, and update Facebook page.
  • Produce live and record newscasts on ABC and NBC, cut and edit video for newscasts.
  • Post stories and shows to WBAA website and promote through on-air announcements, Facebook posts, and tweets.
  • Show more

News anchor vs news producer skills

Common news anchor skills
  • News Content, 9%
  • Facebook, 8%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Social Media Sites, 6%
  • News Coverage, 5%
  • Develop Story Ideas, 5%
Common news producer skills
  • Assignment Desk, 10%
  • Control Room, 9%
  • Story Development, 8%
  • Social Media Sites, 8%
  • Local News, 6%
  • ABC, 6%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs