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News broadcaster vs on-air host

The differences between news broadcasters and on-air hosts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a news broadcaster and an on-air host. Additionally, a news broadcaster has an average salary of $66,322, which is higher than the $45,873 average annual salary of an on-air host.

The top three skills for a news broadcaster include local news, and . The most important skills for an on-air host are adobe audition, phone calls, and FCC.

News broadcaster vs on-air host overview

News BroadcasterOn-Air Host
Yearly salary$66,322$45,873
Hourly rate$31.89$22.05
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,57410,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

News broadcaster vs on-air host salary

News broadcasters and on-air hosts have different pay scales, as shown below.

News BroadcasterOn-Air Host
Average salary$66,322$45,873
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $100,000Between $24,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between news broadcaster and on-air host education

There are a few differences between a news broadcaster and an on-air host in terms of educational background:

News BroadcasterOn-Air Host
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

News broadcaster vs on-air host demographics

Here are the differences between news broadcasters' and on-air hosts' demographics:

News BroadcasterOn-Air Host
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 49.0% Female, 51.0%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.7% White, 77.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between news broadcaster and on-air host duties and responsibilities

News broadcaster example responsibilities.

  • Manage transcription and queuing of b-roll tapes/interviews for live and pre-record broadcasts.
  • Interview personalities, run promotional contests, record advertisements and appear at fundraisers.
  • Work with metro news and copy desks to produce copy, assisting both reporters and editors with article and photo research.

On-air host example responsibilities.

  • Record daily news cast on state topics, prepare promos, program and automate playlists, archive local public affairs shows.
  • Conduct on-air interviews, screen and connect phone calls, and run audio board.
  • Create and run promotions prior to the show.
  • Host and producer of FYI, KLDE FM, weekly public affairs program.
  • Communicate and correspond with listeners online, via email, Snapchat and Instagram.
  • Follow FCC regulations, station and company policies, including implementing station's EAS procedures.
  • Show more

News broadcaster vs on-air host skills

Common news broadcaster skills
  • Local News, 100%
Common on-air host skills
  • Adobe Audition, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 8%
  • FCC, 7%
  • FM, 7%
  • Air Host, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%

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