How to hire an on-air personality

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

Here's a step-by-step on-air personality 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 personality job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new on-air personality
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an on-air personality, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an on-air personality to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an on-air personality that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of on-air personality salaries for various roles:

   Type of On-Air Personality	Description	Hourly rate
   On-Air Personality	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.	$11-36
   Media Technician	Media technicians are professionals who are responsible for setting up and operating audio-visual and computer media equipment and materials. To enhance meetings, lectures, seminars, these technicians are required to schedule and assist the usage of equipment in academic or business settings... Show more	$13-33
   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:

   • Facebook
   • FCC
   • Twitter
   • Live Events
   • Wide Orbit
   • Control Board
   • FM
   • Radio Station
   • Live Broadcasts
   • Adobe Audition
   • Air Personality
   • Community Events
   • Remote Broadcasts
   • Station Events

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Record daily news cast on state topics, prepare promos, program and automate playlists, archive local public affairs shows.
   • Interact with listeners at local promotional events and through the station's Facebook page.
   • Air liners, jingles, and sweepers.
   • Copy writing, production, and remotes.100.9 FM (KPNC )
   • Work nights on FM AC/News station, both live and voice-tracked.
   • Cover NBA, NFL, and NCAA topics in a professional studio.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, on-air personalities' average salary in nebraska is 50% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level on-air personalities 70% less than senior-level on-air personalities.
   • Certifications. An on-air personality 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 personality's salary.

   Average on-air personality salary

   $42,380yearly

   $20.38 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level on-air personality salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing an on-air personality job description

   An on-air personality 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. Below, you can find an example of an on-air personality job description:

   On-air personality job description example

   ABOUT THE ROLE & TEAM:
   
   WAQI-AM, a Uforia radio station, is looking for a part-time On-Air talent to join our team!
   
   You must have passion for our brand, inform, entertain, and engage listeners in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area.
   
   In addition to the daily live broadcast, you will be required to engage the audience across UVN's digital platforms and social media.
   
   You will report to the VP, Miami Local Operations.
   
   ABOUT YOU:
   
   You are excited about producing and performing a live broadcast show that is informative and entertaining. You are knowledgeable and well informed on local, national and international politics & news that is relevant to the station's audience.
   
   YOUR DAY-DAY:
   
   + Select and prepare program content: Gather new stories, audio, and write content for the newscast and show.
   
   + Contact, book, and interview relevant guests.
   
   + Prepare and deliver content about current local, national, and international news.
   
   + Discuss various topics with listeners over the telephone.
   
   + Provide commentary and conduct interviews during "Live" transmissions, and other events.
   
   + Establish a strong and effective relationship with the station's Sales team and clients.
   
   + Broadcast live from remote locations. Act as host and/or make promotional appearances at public or private events representing the Station.
   
   + Contribute appropriate, in-brand content for our digital platforms.
   
   YOU HAVE:
   
   + High School Diploma; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
   
   + At least 3 years of On-Air Radio experience.
   
   + Proficiency in usage of social media platforms. Computer literate.
   
   + Excellent public speaking skills and ability to interact with listeners and clients in a public setting.
   
   + Must possess impeccable diction and excellent pronunciation in Spanish.
   
   OUR BENEFITS:
   
   TelevisaUnivision believes that a happy, well-balanced employee is what makes our culture thrive. We offer a wide selection of perks and benefits including PTO; tuition reimbursement; wellness and employee support programs; 401K; and life and other insurance plans. This is all in addition to our comprehensive and competitive health benefits package featuring medical, dental and vision coverage options.
   
   Univision requires that all U.S. and Puerto Rico employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. This position will require the successful candidate to submit proof of vaccination. The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and will reasonably accommodate a qualified candidate, who may be unable to be vaccinated, consistent with federal, state, and local law.
   
   Univision is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find on-air personalities for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any on-air personalities they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level on-air personalities with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with on-air personality candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 personality

   Once you've selected the best on-air personality candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   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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