News Releases

RTDNA/Hofstra Survey: TV & Radio News Salaries Stabilize in 2009

For Immediate Release: August 25, 2010
Contact: Ryan Murphy, ryanm@rtdna.org

WASHINGTON – The good news in broadcast news salaries in 2009 is that there isn't bad news, according to the latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey.  Local television news salaries rose a modest 2.5 percent during 2009, and local radio news salaries were unchanged.  That compares with drops for both local TV (4.4 percent) and local radio (1.8 percent) the year before.

“With negative inflation in 2009, even flat salaries mean no loss in buying power,” said Bob Papper, professor of journalism at Hofstra University and the survey director.

There’s a mixed picture in TV salaries.  Eleven positions saw increased salaries from last year, four dropped and three stayed the same.  But no salary for any position changed much, which is probably the more important point.

Overall, TV salaries rose by 2.5 percent.  Reporters, managing editors and art directors saw the biggest salary increases.  All rose by about 10 percent.  The biggest drop was seen in sport reporting, which showed a 10 percent salary drop.

Overall, radio news salaries showed little change in 2009.  News directors, reporters, producers and sports reporters’ salaries rose slightly.  This is offset by the slight decline in news and sports anchors’ salaries.  

RTDNA members can view the full survey here

About the Survey

The RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009 among all 1,770 operating, non-satellite television stations and a random sample of 4,000 radio stations.  Valid responses came from 1,355 television stations (76.6 percent) and 203 radio news directors and general managers representing 301 radio stations.

Some data sets (e.g. the number of TV stations originating local news, getting it from others and women TV news directors) is based on a complete census and is not projected from a smaller sample.

Bob Papper is professor and chair of the Department of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations at Hofstra University and has worked extensively in radio and TV news.  This research was supported by the School of Communications at Hofstra University and the Radio Television News Directors Association.

About RTDNA

RTDNA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and digital media in more than 20 countries.