What is the Outlook for Media Occupations?

Summary of analyses by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics

By THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Staff

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, competition will remain keen for journalism and news analyst positions at large metropolitan and national newspapers, broadcast stations, and magazines, as employment growth is expected to be slower than average in this part of the industry through 2014.

Most desirable to employers will be individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in journalism or mass communications who have practical experience gained at school newspapers or broadcasting stations, or through internships with news organizations. However, most entry-level openings will arise at small broadcast stations and publications. Those candidates who can handle some form highly specialized scientific or technical subjects have an advantage.

Salaries for news analysts, reporters, and correspondents vary widely. Median annual earnings of reporters and correspondents were $31,320 (May 2004), with the middle 50 percent earning between $22,900 and $47,860. Median annual earnings of reporters and correspondents were $30,070 in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers and $34,050 in radio and television broadcasting. Median annual earnings of broadcast news analysts were $36,980, with the middle 50 percent earning between $25,560 and $68,440. Median annual earnings of broadcast news analysts were $37,840 in radio and television broadcasting.

At the same time, those holding college degrees in communications, journalism, or English may also be attracted to work as writers and editors outside of traditional news media.  While such positions will be competitive, employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations.  In particular, online publications and services have grown in number and sophistication, spurring the demand for writers and editors, especially those with Web experience. Employment of salaried, non-reporter writers and editors for newspapers, periodicals, book publishers, and nonprofit organizations is expected to increase as demand grows for these publications.

Most valued will be those writers and editors with some specialized knowledge. Demand for technical writers and writers with expertise in areas such as law, medicine, or economics is expected to increase because of the continuing expansion of scientific and technical information and the need to communicate it to others. But many other forms of specialized knowledge can be highly valuable, such as strong knowledge of multicultural audiences or other specific niche audiences.

As a result, the median annual earnings for technical writers in 2004 was nearly $10,000 above the median for all writers/authors and all editors. The BLS also cites findings by the Society for Technical Communication indicating that the median entry-level salaries for technical writers was about the same as the media for those other occupation groups, which average in more experienced workers.

Median annual earnings for salaried technical writers were $53,490 in May 2004, with the middle 50 percent earning between $41,440 and $68,980. By contrast, median annual earnings for all salaried writers and authors were $44,350 in May 2004, with the middle 50 percent earning between $31,720 and $62,930. Median annual earnings for salaried editors were $43,890 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,130 and $58,850. Median annual earnings of those working for newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers were $43,620.

Graphic Communications Outlook

Employment of photographers is expected to grow about as fast as average, as the demand for digital images increases. Median annual earnings of salaried photographers, who tend to earn more than freelancers, were $26,080 in May 2004. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of salaried photographers were $32,800 for newspapers and periodicals and $23,100 for other professional, scientific, and technical services.

However, a caveat: As cheap, easy-to-use digital technology lowers the barriers to entry for the profession and the newspaper industry shrinks, the more steady, salaried staff positions will become increasingly competitive. The photographer's career path may be expected to be increasingly freelance and entrepreneurial.

With the explosion of digital video and interactive media, video/motion camera operators, editors, and the like face a similar outlook. Employment of these workers in TV, video, and motion pictures is to grow about as fast as average, with new opportunities opening up in areas related to interactive and online video. However, again, growth may be slowed by offshore production (in major motion pictures, for example) and increased use of automating technologies such as "robocams".

Median annual earnings were $48,900 in the motion picture and video industries and $29,560 in radio and television broadcasting. Median annual earnings for film and video editors were $43,590 in May 2004.

Employment of graphic designers through 2014 is expected to grow about as fast as average, with demand increasing in the areas of advertising, publishing, and computer design -- especially for those with a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of computer design software, Web site design and animation.

According to the BLS, demand is increasing because of the rapidly growing market for Web-based information and expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video, made-for-Internet outlets, and new, nontraditional and interactive media -- not just websites, but also video games, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other new media technologies. Demand for graphic designers also will increase as advertising firms create print and Web marketing and promotional materials for a growing number of products and services.

The BLS sounds one note of caution, however, observing that overseas outsourcing of design work has been a prominent trend among publishing and computer design firms in recent years -- one that is likely to continue. "However, most higher-level graphic design jobs will remain in the U.S.," BLS projects, "and will focus on developing communication strategies, called strategic design, for clients and firms in order for them to gain competitive advantages in the market. Strategic design work requires close proximity to the consumer in order to identify and target their needs and interests. Graphic designers with a broad liberal arts education and experience in marketing and business management will be best suited for these positions."

Median annual earnings for all graphic designers were $38,030 in May 2004. However, this includes those working in areas outside of media such as architectural and engineering. For designers working in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishing, BLS estimated the median annual earnings at $32,390. This earnings picture may be slightly misleading, though, as it does not account for either the staff level (entry-level, freelance, creative directors, design firm principals or owners), specific media (print vs. animation, etc.), and BLS cites more detailed 2005 figures from the American Institute of Graphic Arts showing strong earning potential for graphic design careers -- from $32,000 for entry-level to $100,000 for firm principals.

Related occupations expected to see faster than average growth include desktop publishers, and those who provide other computerized pre-press services, as more corporations and organizations opt to produce their own newsletters, websites, videos and other communications vehicles rather than farm the work out to trade shops.

For more detailed information about media-related career resources, visit the extended online edition of this feature at Blackcollegian.com.