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Broadcaster, Disc Jockey, Emcee, Master of Ceremonies, Music Announcer, Newscaster, News Correspondent, Podcast Host, Radio Announcer, Talk Show Host, Sportscaster, Television Announcer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Depending on the station and the market it serves, announcers may specialize in a particular type of work or share tasks with other station personnel, such as:
Announcers also may:
Announcers often are invited to make public appearances or serve as master of ceremonies (emcees) at special events. They also may broadcast live from commercial businesses or shopping malls, or be asked to judge contests. In addition, it's becoming more common for announcers to have a social media presence.
Between music selections, announcers who host music programs on commercial radio stations:
At most radio stations, computer software programs are used to schedule music for radio programs. At some stations, announcers play special listener requests.
When music announcers are off air, they record commercials for later broadcast, preview new music, and prepare material for later shows. They also host local station and charity events, and participate in station promotions.
Talk show hosts and interviewers host radio and television shows that feature discussions with a variety of guests on topics of interest to the general public. Guests may be present in person or connect in by phone or video. Listeners may talk to guests live during the show and voice their own opinions about the topic. Most talk shows are recorded live at a radio or television station.
Talk show hosts and interviewers must research topics before going on air to talk about them.
Sportscasters are radio and television announcers who specialize in sports broadcasts. In general, they:
Sportscasters prepare their stories on computer terminals, working from material gathered from wire services and adding their own information. Sometimes, they host sports programs that feature interviews with sports figures or review recent or upcoming sporting events.
At regular intervals during the day and evening, sportscasters provide sports reports. These reports may be taped or broadcast live.
News broadcasters (newscasters and reporters) gather, organize and report the news on radio or television, as well as online and over social media. In general they:
News broadcasters who have a sufficient reputation or social media following may also be requested as speakers or emcees at events such as business and industry conferences, charity events, or convocations.
Podcasters prerecord sports, news or entertainment shows for listening at any time through computers or mobile devices. Listeners can subscribe to podcasts, so new episodes can be sent to their devices automatically.
Announcers generally work shifts that include evenings, weekends and holidays and may include early mornings or late nights. Sports announcers often work irregular hours or split shifts because their schedules are determined by sporting events. The work can be stressful because live broadcasting allows little room for error.
Announcers may work in comfortable but sometimes crowded studios, or they may broadcast from on-location booths or even standing at a busy event.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Announcers and other broadcasters
2023 OaSIS: 52114.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Announcers need:
They should enjoy working with music, videos and other news and entertainment materials for broadcast, to inform and entertain others, and to compile and present information.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 12 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 09, 2022 and Jul 07, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Work under pressure | 9 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Select and introduce music, videos and other entertainment material for broadcast, and make commercial and public service announcements | 7 |
| Tasks: Act as host/hostess or master of ceremonies, introduce and interview guests and conduct proceedings of shows or programs | 7 |
| Tasks: Read news, sports and weather for radio and television | 7 |
| Tasks: Report on weather conditions using information provided by weather forecasting services | 7 |
| Experience: 1 to less than 7 months | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 5 |
| Tasks: Report on traffic conditions by maintaining contact with external sources of information or by observing traffic from air or land vehicle | 5 |
| Tasks: Host functions such as weddings, anniversaries, community events, sport events, corporate functions et schools dances | 5 |
| Work Setting: Music, arts and entertainment | 4 |
Announcers must be able to write clearly and concisely, and keep up to date on current events. Interviewers must be able to guide discussions in a direction that is interesting and informative. Computer skills are a definite asset, especially skills related to digital on-air and sound editing systems, and website management.
Most announcers have post-secondary education in related areas such as journalism, broadcasting or communications. Employers generally require news announcers to have a related diploma or degree.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Announcers usually find work by marketing themselves through audition tapes and personal interviews. Aspiring announcers must be willing to start at small radio and television stations, often in rural communities or on post-secondary campuses. Some may start with independent podcasts on social media, then move to established stations after developing a following. Larger stations usually hire experienced announcers having a sufficient popularity that proves they can attract and hold the attention of a large number of viewers or followers. Some announcers may begin with larger stations as the local correspondent for a particular town or area, then move into larger roles. Being a good fit with the station’s culture and its watcher / listener demographic is also key.
At small radio or television stations, announcers may host music shows and read news, weather and sports reports as well. Sometimes, they are involved in writing commercial advertisements and selling air time.
Experienced announcers usually specialize in one area of presentation, such as music, news, sports or interviewing. Movement from station to station is common as announcers seek positions with larger audiences, or return to smaller stations in management positions. Announcers may also move back and forth between radio and television mediums during their career, or even do both at the same time. Announcers may become programming directors, station managers, news anchors or directors, or executives with broadcasting companies.
Some announcers freelance as emcees or disc jockeys for special functions, or record commercials on a contract basis.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Announcers and other broadcasters
2016 NOC: 5231
97.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for announcers vary tremendously and are based on experience and responsibilities. However, a typical starting salary would likely range from $30,000 to $40,000. In a large market, an experienced announcer might earn from $60,000 to $100,000. Because of large audiences for morning shows, morning hosts in large markets are often paid at the higher end of that range.
Announcers are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 52114: Announcers and other broadcasters.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Announcers and other broadcasters occupational group earned on average from $21.49 to $35.04 an hour. The overall average was $24.74 an hour. For more information, see the Announcers and other broadcasters wage profile.
Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca
Western Association of Broadcasters website: www.wab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
