How to hire a program host

How to hire a program host, step by step

Here's a step-by-step program host hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The program 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

   A program host's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, program hosts from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents program host salaries for various positions.

   Type of Program Host	Description	Hourly rate
   Program 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.	$15-47
   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
   On-Air Personality	On-Air personalities are celebrities with a platform on broadcast media. They are usually radio hosts hosting a talk show, a podcast, or even a music program... Show more	$11-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FCC
   • Classical Music
   • FM
   • Radio Program
   • Community Events
   • Feature Stories
   • NPR
   • Local News
   • PBS

   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.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, program hosts' average salary in florida is 41% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level program hosts 68% less than senior-level program hosts.
   • Certifications. A program 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 a program host's salary.

   Average program host salary

   $56,830yearly

   $27.32 hourly rate

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   Entry-level program host salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a program host job description

   A job description for a program host role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a program host job description:

   Program host job description example

   Marbles Kids Museum is a vibrant, nonprofit children's museum and IMAX Theatre located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Marbles has been sparking imagination, discovery, and learning through play since opening its doors in 2007. Marbles' serves a diverse population of families, school groups, and community organizations through award-winning play-based exhibits, summer camps, IMAX documentaries, feature movies, and special events year-round. Today Marbles ranks among the top family destinations in North Carolina providing learning experiences for children with creative programs, and larger-than-life movies.
   The Opportunity
   
   Marbles is hiring a playful, enthusiastic School Programs Host to join our part-time team. This position plays an essential role in providing memorable, engaging, welcoming, and safe experiences for our school group visitors. Our School Program Hosts are responsible for providing an exceptional field trip experience, from arrival to departure, including the delivery of Marbles programming.
   
   Job Responsibilities
   Deliver museum and IMAX programs to school group visitors. Organize and execute set up and break down of program materials and spaces. Interact and greet school groups and guests at the museum. Explains the facilities, services offered, and resources to school group visitors as necessary. Assist with opening the museum and resetting the exhibits to ensure they are safe, clean, and welcoming. Playfully interact with school groups and guests in museum exhibits to enhance the play and learning experience. Perform all other duties assigned by the manager.
   Ideal Experience and Skill Set
   Experience delivering programs, such as classroom instruction, theatrical performances, or interactive presentations to large groups of children. Experience working with school-age children. Flexibility to adjust to varying visitation patterns.
   
   Personal Characteristics
   A passion for play and guest service along with genuine joy in interacting with children and families Respectful and approachable Desire to support the Marbles mission to spark imagination, discovery and learning through play Commitment to maintain safe, clean, organized, and fun environments across campus Positive attitude and strong work ethic
   Physical Demands
   Walking, standing, stooping, bending Carrying up to 30 lbs.
   Schedule
   
   The general schedule will be Wednesday through Friday 8:30am-1:00pm but can vary depending on visitation patterns. Opportunity to work additional weekday and weekend shifts based on availability and organizational needs.
   
   Benefits
   Parking and commuter benefits Two times hourly pay for work on select holidays Great Marbles Perks & Discounts Fitness Benefits
   Marbles Kids Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment opportunities because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, disability, genetic information or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find program hosts for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   To find program host candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit program hosts, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 program host

   Once you've found the program host candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 program host first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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