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The average salary for a broadcaster stands at $46,070 per year. This figure reflects various factors including experience, geographical location, and the type of broadcasting role held. For instance, news anchors may earn more than radio DJs due to the demands of live reporting and higher viewership.
Broadcasters in metropolitan areas typically see higher salaries due to increased living costs and competition. States like California and New York frequently rank among the highest paying for broadcasters. Additionally, broadcasters with specialized skills in digital media or those who have advanced degrees may command higher salaries.
Historically, broadcaster salaries have experienced fluctuations in response to changes in technology and media consumption habits. As streaming services and social media platforms grow, broadcasters are adapting, creating new opportunities and potentially higher earnings in digital formats.
For those looking to enter the broadcasting field, opportunities range from local stations to major networks. Understanding the salary landscape can help you negotiate effectively and make informed career choices.
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The highest-paying states for broadcasters are Nevada, California, and Massachusetts. The lowest average broadcaster salary states are Missouri, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $70,788 | $34.03 |
| 2 | Nevada | $66,324 | $31.89 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $62,206 | $29.91 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $60,662 | $29.16 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $60,759 | $29.21 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $61,606 | $29.62 |
| 7 | New York | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 8 | Oregon | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 9 | California | $63,896 | $30.72 |
| 10 | Arizona | $55,157 | $26.52 |
| 11 | Delaware | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $53,844 | $25.89 |
| 13 | Maryland | $58,932 | $28.33 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $52,036 | $25.02 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $55,404 | $26.64 |
| 16 | Ohio | $51,382 | $24.70 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $52,298 | $25.14 |
| 18 | Texas | $51,994 | $25.00 |
| 19 | Vermont | $53,480 | $25.71 |
| 20 | Washington | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $49,829 | $23.96 |
| 22 | Idaho | $49,016 | $23.57 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $47,019 | $22.61 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $47,894 | $23.03 |
| 25 | Utah | $47,378 | $22.78 |
| 26 | Michigan | $46,065 | $22.15 |
| 27 | Virginia | $49,169 | $23.64 |
| 28 | Kansas | $45,685 | $21.96 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $55,493 | $26.68 |
| 30 | Maine | $46,261 | $22.24 |
| 31 | Colorado | $47,263 | $22.72 |
| 32 | Alaska | $46,417 | $22.32 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $43,243 | $20.79 |
| 34 | Iowa | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| 35 | Montana | $43,975 | $21.14 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $43,874 | $21.09 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| 38 | Illinois | $44,902 | $21.59 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $41,909 | $20.15 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $42,493 | $20.43 |
| 41 | Alabama | $42,025 | $20.20 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $41,304 | $19.86 |
| 43 | Indiana | $41,092 | $19.76 |
| 44 | Georgia | $41,406 | $19.91 |
| 45 | Florida | $43,234 | $20.79 |
| 46 | Wisconsin | $40,531 | $19.49 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $40,093 | $19.28 |
| 48 | Missouri | $40,645 | $19.54 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $39,579 | $19.03 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $37,433 | $18.00 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $38,525 | $18.52 |
The highest-paying cities for broadcasters are Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, and Frostburg, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $70,692 | $33.99 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $62,759 | $30.17 |
| 3 | Frostburg, MD | $56,504 | $27.17 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $52,889 | $25.43 |
| 5 | State College, PA | $52,107 | $25.05 |
| 6 | Vienna, VA | $50,597 | $24.33 |
| 7 | Lynchburg, VA | $46,269 | $22.24 |
| 8 | Durham, NC | $44,845 | $21.56 |
| 9 | Holly Springs, NC | $44,579 | $21.43 |
| 10 | Bozeman, MT | $44,026 | $21.17 |
| 11 | Suwanee, GA | $41,304 | $19.86 |
| 12 | Duluth, MN | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| 13 | Faribault, MN | $38,313 | $18.42 |
| 14 | Owatonna, MN | $38,295 | $18.41 |
A broadcaster's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $93,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $93,000 | $7,750 | $45 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| Average | $46,070 | $3,839 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
The highest paying types of broadcasters are anchor/producer, disk jockey, and co-host.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-Air Personality | $42,380 | $3,532 | $20.37 | 1,507 |
| Talk Show Host | $49,582 | $4,132 | $23.84 | 10,048 |
| Morning Show Host | $42,336 | $3,528 | $20.35 | 10,174 |
| Digital Media Internship | $32,033 | $2,669 | $15.40 | 72,449 |
| On-Air Host | $45,873 | $3,823 | $22.05 | 10,674 |
| Radio Internship | $48,046 | $4,004 | $23.10 | 49,838 |
Top companies hiring broadcasters now:
Broadcaster salaries at U&s; Services, Inc. and Townsquare Media are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average broadcaster salary at companies like AccuWeather and The College of St. Scholastica are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U&s Services, Inc. | $74,247 | $35.70 |
| 2 | Townsquare Media | $54,436 | $26.17 |
| 3 | AccuWeather | $53,532 | $25.74 |
| 4 | The College of St. Scholastica | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| 5 | Radio Free Asia | $51,459 | $24.74 |
| 6 | Gwinnett County Board of Education | $47,667 | $22.92 |
| 7 | Frostburg State University | $39,121 | $18.81 |
| 8 | Montana State University | $38,352 | $18.44 |
| 9 | Capitol Broadcasting | $38,116 | $18.32 |
| 10 | Liberty University | $36,611 | $17.60 |
The average broadcaster salary has risen by $11,890 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average broadcaster earned $34,180 annually, but today, they earn $46,070 a year. That works out to a 17% change in pay for broadcasters over the last decade.
Compare broadcaster salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare broadcaster salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,100 | $22.15 | +5.8% |
| 2025 | $43,400 | $20.86 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $41,600 | $20.01 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $40,700 | $19.55 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $39,300 | $18.91 | +1.4% |
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