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On-air host vs program host

The differences between on-air hosts and program hosts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an on-air host and a program host. Additionally, a program host has an average salary of $56,830, which is higher than the $45,873 average annual salary of an on-air host.

The top three skills for an on-air host include adobe audition, phone calls and FCC. The most important skills for a program host are FCC, classical music, and FM.

On-air host vs program host overview

On-Air HostProgram Host
Yearly salary$45,873$56,830
Hourly rate$22.05$27.32
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs10,67466,842
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

On-air host vs program host salary

On-air hosts and program hosts have different pay scales, as shown below.

On-Air HostProgram Host
Average salary$45,873$56,830
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $84,000Between $32,000 And $99,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between on-air host and program host education

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

On-Air HostProgram Host
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Southern California

On-air host vs program host demographics

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

On-Air HostProgram Host
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 63.5% Female, 36.5%Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between on-air host and program host duties and responsibilities

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

Program host example responsibilities.

  • Founded, host and manage one of the main radio programmes for Kairi Fm, a leading radio station in Dominica.
  • Book bands, DJ's, artists, poets, and fashion designers to appear on the show.
  • Conduct research for potential stories and topics, generate show topics and stories, and make playlists.
  • Founded, host and manage one of the main radio programmes for Kairi Fm, a leading radio station in Dominica.
  • Direct all music programming (including local talent), production, and copywriting.

On-air host vs program host skills

Common on-air host skills
  • Adobe Audition, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 8%
  • FCC, 7%
  • FM, 7%
  • Air Host, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
Common program host skills
  • FCC, 31%
  • Classical Music, 31%
  • FM, 17%
  • Radio Program, 7%
  • Community Events, 3%
  • Feature Stories, 3%

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