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Radio announcer vs on-air host

The differences between radio announcers 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 radio announcer and an on-air host. Additionally, an on-air host has an average salary of $45,873, which is higher than the $45,608 average annual salary of a radio announcer.

The top three skills for a radio announcer include radio commercials, public service announcements and FM. The most important skills for an on-air host are adobe audition, phone calls, and FCC.

Radio announcer vs on-air host overview

Radio AnnouncerOn-Air Host
Yearly salary$45,608$45,873
Hourly rate$21.93$22.05
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs2,87010,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

Radio announcer vs on-air host salary

Radio announcers and on-air hosts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radio AnnouncerOn-Air Host
Average salary$45,608$45,873
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $98,000Between $24,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyWGBH-
Best paying industryInternet-

Differences between radio announcer and on-air host education

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

Radio AnnouncerOn-Air Host
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Radio announcer vs on-air host demographics

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

Radio AnnouncerOn-Air Host
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 4.5% White, 74.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 radio announcer and on-air host duties and responsibilities

Radio announcer example responsibilities.

  • Manage local and network programming, system monitoring, ensure broadcast operations, FCC license
  • Manage and develop music playlists and setting up contests, promotions, and other marketing-relate projects.
  • Design locations for cell sites to achieve maximum handover efficiency.
  • Follow and enforce FCC regulations and station and company policies.
  • Arrange music playlists on-air, interview guests, and provide interpretation.
  • Radio announcer DJ broadcasting music, news, radio shows and weather.
  • Show more

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

Radio announcer vs on-air host skills

Common radio announcer skills
  • Radio Commercials, 17%
  • Public Service Announcements, 8%
  • FM, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • Program Content, 4%
  • Radio Program, 4%
Common on-air host skills
  • Adobe Audition, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 8%
  • FCC, 7%
  • FM, 7%
  • Air Host, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%

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