To assess and examine all the current affairs in the world, we must have in-depth knowledge about them, from a neutral standpoint. News channels help us with exactly that. News channels provide unbiased news from all over the world. Though there are local networks that cover only the happenings relevant to that specific location. Here, let’s know How Much Do Local News Anchors Make?
News Anchors are the face of the News channels as they deliver the news. They keep us updated with the latest news and reports. As of 2021, there are over 400 24-hour news networks across the world, with over 25,000 full-time anchors. They are handed lots of responsibilities throughout their shift, as this job may not be as easy as it may appear.
Are you an aspiring anchor who wants to know more about the future aspects and salaries? We have covered just that in this article along with other relevant topics which we hope will clear all your doubts and queries.
Salaries of Local News Anchors
The salaries of Local News Anchors vary based on factors such as the location of the news channel, years of experience, specific requirements, etc. The annual median salary of a Local News Anchor with 5 years of experience starts from $55,834 and can go up to $78,733. New hires or less experienced Anchors can get paid from $34,745 up to $42,432. Senior News Anchors with over 10 years of experience get paid from $90,340 up to $120,377 annually on average. All the above figures are estimates and are subject to change in the future.
The figures above have seen a meteoric rise compared to 20 years ago. The average salary back then was $40,326, compared to the figures now, this was significantly less. With more opportunities and salaries, more individuals are applying for the job of News Anchor as it is becoming one of the most sought-after jobs in the current decade.
What is a News Anchor?
News Anchor, also known as News Broadcaster or reader, is an individual who reads and presents the news on the News Channel or radio or through the internet. An Anchor can also be responsible for the collection, assessment, and research of the news material. Most News Anchors work from studios or offices but some of them have to be present from remote locations due to events like terrorism, natural calamity, interviews, and much more.
Requirements for Becoming a News Anchor
As it is known, being a News Anchor is no easy feat, you will have to go through rigorous training along with handling various hectic tasks daily. Below, we have mentioned a list of mandatory requirements for becoming a News Anchor.
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism
This is the required bare minimum for working in the field of journalism, A degree in communications and media may also suffice as they both have relatively same skill sets. Having a degree in Journalism shows you have all the appropriate knowledge and skills that you can utilize in your job as a News Anchor. Having a Master’s in a specialized field may also guarantee you Anchor jobs with better pay.
Minimum of 1-year Experience
For the position of a Television News Anchor, you must have a minimum of one year’s experience either as an Anchor or a writer in a news channel. Having prior experience shows you have the right skills which may increase your chances of getting hired drastically. As new hires crumble under pressure, news channels regularly search for experienced Anchors who can hold their nerve during high-intensity moments.
Communication Skills
Having clear communication skills ensures that the audience understands your conveyed message. Having a professional yet charismatic and calm demeanor may attract the audience’s attention. You must be able to speak clearly and distinctively at a normal pace. Interacting smoothly with guests and telling the stories with clear and effective communication is a must.
Aware of Current Affairs
You must be aware of local, state-level, national, and international news. Being aware of all affairs and facts can come useful during debates and interviews, this can help you communicate smoothly and more effectively, propagating more knowledge to the audience.
Excellent Research Skills
You must be able to find information regarding the relevant topic, either through sources or other mediums. You must be able to critically analyze and evaluate sources before publishing to ensure they are not misleading or biased. Citing sources and crediting researchers is also essential. Finding relatable information to support your stories and thus strengthen the case.
Technical Skills
You must be tech-savvy or must possess the basic knowledge of technology. This includes handling computers, cell phones, using electronic devices to research, write articles, and report stories. You must also know how to operate social media, basic software like MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint along with technical and audio equipment.
Duties of a News Anchor
The news reporter is expected to work under great pressure. They have to report news that can be stressful and shattering, but they are expected to keep a professional and calm demeanor. There is the pressure of being the first media house to cover a certain topic. But there are more duties and responsibilities handed to a local News Anchor, some of which are mentioned below.
Delivering Breaking News
The News Editor assigns the events to be covered to the News Anchor. The source could be provided by a contact. The News Anchor travels to the scene of crime or investigation to interview witnesses and put together a compelling story.
Recording Presentations
News Anchors record and perform live presentations. Along with the presentations, they may invite critics or other personnel to have a debate or talk over a certain issue. They may also do live link calls with on-site reporters who may be present at the scene.
Having Background Information
Background research is essential as a news reporter. You have to check the facts and sources and examine for biases or misinformation. They may also consult with the legal authorities regarding stories that may potentially cause legal trouble.
Alternatives to Becoming a News Anchor
You may think it’s a hectic and largely tiring job. Don’t think News Anchor is the right option for you, but still want to pursue a career in Journalism?. We have listed down a few alternatives to a News Anchor that you can pursue with a Journalism or Communications degree.
Editor
The Editor is also known as the head of the news channel. They ensure to adhere to the standards and quality of the articles and also ensures the coherent and clear conveyance of news. The job of the editor is to supervise the content of the newspapers and the reading scripts. They also decide the priority of the article along with assigning stories to reporters and news anchors. They allocate the space for all the articles, photos, and advertisements in the newspaper. They are also responsible for the assignment of all the grammar and technical editing to the sub-editor and the proofreader.
The median salary of a News Editor with 4 to 6 years of experience is $87,343 annually, while the entry-level editors make anywhere from $36,467 to $45,233. The position of editor may require prior experience or experience as an assistant or sub-editor.
Researcher
The Media Researcher is handed the task of finding factual data and background information. They also find appropriate locations for outdoor interviews or shoots. Along with that, they keep a detailed list of relevant parties to contact. They are handed the duty of gathering information that is factual and unbiased. You must find ideas for future reports. Conducting meetings with coworkers including editors, journalists, and producers to discuss new ideas. You must be well versed with computers, or at least have the basic knowledge. Interpersonal skills are also a must since you have to communicate all your ideas with your coworkers.
The average annual salary of a Researcher with a few years of experience can range from $63,456 to $88,189. More specialized fields can fetch a significantly better amount.
Critic
A Critic offers their opinion on a subject where they specialize in. They analyze and assess the situation and then provide their thoughts on it. A critic can be a freelancer or a part-time worker. Critics cover all sorts of topics, ranging from cinema to sports and even food. In recent times, critics have been starting their online podcasts and shows, as this has shown to be more beneficial than traditional media. Without comprehensive and detailed knowledge of certain topics, you can not become a critic.
On average, a film critic makes anywhere from $26,352 to $95,144 depending on the quality of work, the medium (newspaper, on-air, YouTube, etc.). Famous critics get paid more as their thoughts are more likely to influence the reader.
News Producer
The role of the news producer is to combine all the elements of reports, graphics, live footage, videos into one cohesive news report. The News Producer supervises the editors, news anchors, photojournalists, critics, researchers, and on-site crew to make sure the quality of the work is great and the show is successful.
The median annual salary of a News producer with over 10 years of experience is $93,443. This number is drastically lower for newly appointed producers.
Photojournalist
A photojournalist converts and interprets the events in a visual format through the means of photographs. An expert photojournalist has an eye for taking the best pictures. They must be familiar with the technical aspects such as operating the camera, having knowledge about the lenses, having an essence of storytelling in their job. They must also know how to edit the footage and adhere to legal norms including the privacy of the victims and other concerns. Having the proper knowledge of digital publishing, printing and designing can also prove to be helpful.
The average annual salary of an experienced Photojournalist ranges from $45,131 to $63,322. Increased experience and quality of work can drastically increase the salary.
Conclusion
The average Anchor makes up to $55,834 annually, this includes bonuses and pay raises. With the immense responsibility and pressure of being a Local News Anchor, you must be ready to have what it takes. Some channels have strict requirements and expectations, as only the cream of the crop can get in. This ensures that all the work done is of great quality and adheres to professional standards. The duties of the Anchors include an array of things, ranging from technical work to research.
The average salary of the Local News Anchor has seen a significant rise in the last 2 decades, this rise has been possible due to the increase in the need for unbiased and honest media houses. The honest and unapologetic brand of journalism is very essential in today’s day and age.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) about News Anchors
As you may know, being a News Anchor can be a tough job and it may not be possible to cover everything in the article. Hence, we have included this section to answer the most common queries.
Q. How many hours a day do News Anchors Work For?
A. It may depend on the position and the news channel itself, but typically, News Anchors work for 8 hours a day to 4-hour shifts if they are freelancing.
Q. Is there a specific uniform for News Anchors?
A. No, but they are expected to adhere to clothing guidelines and wearing formal clothes, which includes the color as well. They can pick any attire they desire, fitting the above criteria.
Q. As an Anchor, will I be expected to write the stories myself, or will I have to read the teleprompter script?
A. Typically, there are a set of dedicated writers for News Channels, but sometimes there might be a shortage that most Anchors can fill since they have strong Journalism and Communication background.
Q. Do Anchors work off-air?
A. Yes, before and after their shift, most anchors research on the stories and news, study background for an upcoming interview, and review scripts.
Q. Will, I am given any incentives along with my base salary as an Anchor?
A. Yes, the most prominent News Channels provide all the essential benefits and perks to their employees, such as health insurance, maternity leave, and much more.
