How to hire an on-air host

How to hire an on-air host, step by step

Here's a step-by-step on-air host hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an on-air host job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new on-air host
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The on-air host hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect on-air host also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of on-air hosts and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of On-Air Host	Description	Hourly rate
   On-Air Host	Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these or other important topics. Some act as masters of ceremonies (emcees) or disc jockeys (DJs) at weddings, parties, or clubs.	$11-40
   Radio Internship	In a radio internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, they gather industry insights and experience while performing support tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, conducting research, and running errands as needed... Show more	$10-51
   Talk Show Host	Talk show hosts deliver their services on the radio or television. They run a 'talk show' by inviting visitors to entertain the audience by discussing various topics with the talk show host... Show more	$11-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Adobe Audition
   • Phone Calls
   • FCC
   • FM
   • Air Host
   • Twitter
   • Control Board
   • Radio Station
   • Live Broadcasts
   • Sweepers
   • Studio Equipment
   • YouTube
   • Morning Show
   • Station Events

   Check all skills

   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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your on-air host job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An on-air host can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, on-air hosts' average salary in nebraska is 49% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level on-air hosts 71% less than senior-level on-air hosts.
   • Certifications. An on-air host with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an on-air host's salary.

   Average on-air host salary

   $45,873yearly

   $22.05 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level on-air host salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an on-air host job description

   An on-air host job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an on-air host job description:

   On-air host job description example

   CUMULUS MEDIA | Memphis is looking for a Morning Show Co-Host .Our people work in a state-of-the-art facility, take pride in our community and value teamwork. If you can deliver lifestyle headlines, be focused, creative and multi-task and most of all...love radio, we should talk. Board work, remotes and production are all a part of what we do, so show us what you've got.
   
   Who We Are:
   
   CUMULUS | Memphis , TN currently features four stations in the Memphis area. Our stations include: WGKX Kix 106 country, WXMX The Max, WRBO and WKIM The Bridge.
   
   Responsibilities include hosting or co-hosting shows that generate ratings by being entertaining, informative, community oriented and forwarding the brand. Must have a deep understanding of how to go beyond the latest news, headlines, and events to craft an entertaining and unique product. The candidate should be able to plan and produce a quality show, through creative ideas, segments, celebrity interviews and production elements. Daily commercial production is required. As an ambassador for Cumulus, participation in station and client events/remotes, connecting with the community and our listeners, building a relationship with clients through the sales team and networking within the market are paramount. Candidates must have unparalleled passion, worth ethic and drive.
   
   Key Responsibilities:
   

   • Produce a compelling radio show by using creativity, imagination and exercise of independent professional judgment in writing, producing, interviewing, taping or broadcasting on-air content
   • Great with phones/interacting with callers, interviewing artists/guests and hosting live events
   • Connect with listeners via phones, social, video, web and on-site
   • Daily social media engagement; website and digital content generation
   • Participates in station Programming, Promotions, and Sales meetings and events
   • Assist in production and imaging of the station
   • Live Broadcasts and station appearances, whether paid of unpaid
   • Commercial Production; create killer endorsement ads - both on air and online - for mutually agreed upon products
   • Voice other commercials as assigned
   • Handles emergency news/weather in show; on call for weather disasters/breaking news
   • Ensures logged commercials, promotions, sweepers and any other programming element essential to the station's operations are aired
   • Performs additional duties in small stations, such as production, assisting program director or music director, operating radio transmitter or writing advertising copy. Plays music as specified by music director and music log

   To upload your air-check, please paste the audio file into a Word document and save with name format Lastname.Audio and upload as part of your application by selecting "Include a cover letter". Instructions are also provided on the application form.
   
   Qualifications :
   

   • 3 + years of Full-Time On-Air experience with successful ratings history required
   • Strong production skills and knowledge of Op X, VOX Pro/Adobe Audition and Audacity
   • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and social networking
   • Strong knowledge of all FCC rules and regulations
   • Socially informed and perceptive; up-to-date and in tune daily with the local and national trends and/or specialized knowledge of topics/events related to on-air discussions
   • Demonstrated upbeat personality, informative, entertaining and engaging on the air; able to relate to station audience
   • Pleasant, charismatic and well-controlled voice; excellent pronunciation
   • Excellent verbal and written communication and editing skills; proficient in grammar; ability to make others feel comfortable and open up on air
   • Demonstrated creativity and imagination
   • Can work well in a team environment; collaborative

   What we offer:
   

   • Competitive pay
   • Professional growth and career path
   • Focused, responsible and collaborative work environment with the ability, to ask "what if" and try innovative solutions
   • 401K with company match to plan for the long-term

   For immediate consideration, please visit [Link available when viewing the job]
   
   For more information about CUMULUS MEDIA, visit our website at: [Link available when viewing the job]
   
   CUMULUS MEDIA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right on-air host for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your on-air host job on Zippia to find and attract quality on-air host candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting on-air hosts requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new on-air host

   Once you have selected a candidate for the on-air host position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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