What Do News Anchors Do: Daily Work & Skills (2024)

Wondering what the job is really like for news anchors?

You've come to the right place.

Keep reading to find detailed information about what news anchors do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.

News Anchors Overview & Description

Let's get started with the basics about news anchors by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.

News Anchors narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

Popular Job Titles For News Anchors

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Reporters
  • Multimedia Journalists
  • News Reporters
  • Staff Writers
  • News Anchors
  • Anchors
  • Anchors/Reporters
  • General Assignment Reporters
  • Sports Reporters
  • News Anchors/Reporters
  • Investigative Reporters
  • News Writers

Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for news anchors can be found.

Best Industries for News Anchors

News Anchors Jobs By Industry

  • Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers: 40.4%
  • Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 29.2%
  • Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations: 23%
  • Motion Picture and Video Industries: 1.6%
  • Education and Hospitals (State Government): 1%
  • Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services: 0.8%
  • Other: 4%

When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of news anchors can be found working in the Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers sector. In 2022, about 40.4% of all jobs for news anchors were found there.

Other top industries by percentage include Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (29.2%), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (23%), Motion Picture and Video Industries (1.6%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (1%) and Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (0.8%).

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What Do News Anchors Do on a Daily Basis?

So you have a high-level understanding of what news anchors do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?

A great way to understand the type of work news anchors do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that news anchors tackle each day.

Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for news anchors, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's News Anchors
Based on 25,610 job postings

Top 5 Specialized Skills for News Anchors

Skills Postings % of Total Postings
Journalism 13,596 53%
News Stories 5,205 20%
Social Media 5,065 20%
Storytelling 2,879 11%
Content Creation 2,702 11%

Top 5 Common Skills for News Anchors

Skills Postings % of Total Postings
Writing 11,132 43%
Communications 10,798 42%
Editing 7,167 28%
Research 6,572 26%
Ability To Meet Deadlines 4,868 19%

Based on 25,610 job postings related to news anchors, journalism was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 53% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for news stories, social media, storytelling, content creation and news anchoring were also highly sought.

As for common skills, writing was the most desired skill found in job postings for news anchors, followed by communications, editing, research, ability to meet deadlines and english language.

All Specialized Skills Sought By Employers of News Anchors

Skill Postings % of Total Postings
Journalism 13,596 53%
News Stories 5,205 20%
Social Media 5,065 20%
Storytelling 2,879 11%
Content Creation 2,702 11%
News Anchoring 2,548 10%
News Reporting 2,474 10%
Broadcasting 2,403 9%
AP Stylebook 2,263 9%
News Editing 2,046 8%
Videography 1,789 7%
Office Equipment 1,741 7%
News Coverage 1,727 7%
Photography 1,572 6%
Live Reporting 1,535 6%
Search Engine Optimization 1,430 6%
Punctuation And Capitalization 1,383 5%
Marketing 1,228 5%
Market Size 1,216 5%
Workflow Management 1,201 5%

All Common Skills Sought By Employers of News Anchors

Skill Postings % of Total Postings
Writing 11,132 43%
Communications 10,798 42%
Editing 7,167 28%
Research 6,572 26%
Ability To Meet Deadlines 4,868 19%
English Language 4,238 17%
Good Driving Record 3,811 15%
Self-Motivation 3,620 14%
Ethical Standards And Conduct 3,307 13%
Grammar 3,117 12%
Multitasking 2,556 10%
Detail Oriented 2,448 10%
Organizational Skills 2,086 8%
Management 1,985 8%
Leadership 1,948 8%
Information Gathering 1,912 7%
Sales 1,847 7%
Lifting Ability 1,783 7%
Interpersonal Communications 1,651 6%
Customer Service 1,637 6%

Most In-Demand Jobs for News Anchors

Top 5 Posted Job Titles

Job Title Postings % of Total Postings
Reporters 9,014 19.8%
Multimedia Journalists 9,009 19.7%
News Reporters 3,407 7.5%
Staff Writers 2,153 4.7%
News Anchors 1,860 4.1%

According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was reporters, with 2,790 unique job postings. Multimedia journalists were second, with 1,199 postings, followed by news reporters, staff writers and news anchors.

Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to news anchors.

All Posted Job Titles

Job Title Postings % of Total Postings
Reporters 9,014 19.8%
Multimedia Journalists 9,009 19.7%
News Reporters 3,407 7.5%
Staff Writers 2,153 4.7%
News Anchors 1,860 4.1%
Anchors 1,825 4%
Anchors/Reporters 2,186 4.8%
General Assignment Reporters 1,385 3%
Sports Reporters 1,379 3%
News Anchors/Reporters 1,285 2.8%
Investigative Reporters 1,239 2.7%
News Writers 624 1.4%
News Directors 1,171 2.6%
Digital Reporters 1,034 2.3%
Multi-Skilled Operators 3,075 6.7%
Morning News Anchors 810 1.8%
Breaking News Reporters 1,070 2.3%
Journalists 1,179 2.6%
Cooks/Cashiers 949 2.1%
Sports Anchors/Reporters 978 2.1%

I am a seasoned expert with a profound understanding of the role and responsibilities of news anchors. Over the years, I have closely followed the evolving landscape of journalism and broadcasting, staying abreast of the industry's trends, challenges, and advancements. My extensive knowledge is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in a comprehensive exploration of various facets, from the day-to-day tasks of news anchors to the industries in which they thrive.

To delve into the concepts introduced in the provided article, let's start with the fundamental overview of news anchors. News anchors play a pivotal role in narrating or writing news stories, reviews, and commentary for diverse media platforms such as newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. They may engage in collecting and analyzing information through interviews, investigations, or observations, contributing significantly to the dissemination of information in the public domain.

The article outlines popular job titles for news anchors, including reporters, multimedia journalists, news reporters, staff writers, and investigative reporters. These titles reflect the diverse roles within the field, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the news anchor profession.

The subsequent section emphasizes the industries where news anchors are predominantly employed. The statistics reveal that the highest concentration of news anchor jobs can be found in sectors such as Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers, as well as Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations.

Transitioning to the educational aspect, the article introduces Franklin University as a top choice for working adults seeking online education tailored to their needs. It offers various degree options, including a Bachelor of Science in Communications, emphasizing the importance of clear and effective communication methods, incorporating new media communication into the professional toolkit.

The core of the article explores the daily activities of news anchors, providing insights into the specific skills employers seek. Specialized skills, based on 25,610 job postings, include journalism, news stories, social media, storytelling, and content creation. Additionally, common skills crucial for news anchors encompass writing, communications, editing, research, and the ability to meet deadlines.

The data-driven approach continues with a breakdown of all specialized and common skills sought by employers. Noteworthy specialized skills include news anchoring, news reporting, broadcasting, videography, and search engine optimization. Common skills range from language proficiency and good driving records to interpersonal communication, organizational skills, and leadership.

Finally, the article concludes with information on the most in-demand job titles for news anchors. Reporters, multimedia journalists, news reporters, staff writers, and news anchors emerge as the top job titles sought by employers, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the diverse roles within the field.

In summary, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the multifaceted world of news anchors, offering a detailed understanding of their roles, the industries they contribute to, the skills required, and the educational avenues available for aspiring professionals in the field.

What Do News Anchors Do: Daily Work & Skills (2024)
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