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Radio board operator vs on-air host

The differences between radio board operators 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 board operator and an on-air host. Additionally, a radio board operator has an average salary of $49,329, which is higher than the $45,873 average annual salary of an on-air host.

The top three skills for a radio board operator include phone calls, audio board and radio station. The most important skills for an on-air host are adobe audition, phone calls, and FCC.

Radio board operator vs on-air host overview

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Host
Yearly salary$49,329$45,873
Hourly rate$23.72$22.05
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs28,35210,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

Radio board operator vs on-air host salary

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Host
Average salary$49,329$45,873
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $104,000Between $24,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between radio board operator and on-air host education

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Host
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Radio board operator vs on-air host demographics

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Host
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 76.6% Female, 23.4%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.9% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 board operator and on-air host duties and responsibilities

Radio board operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and update show's Facebook page and website with strategically tailor content aim at growing audience base.
  • Notify management, maintenance, engineering and other auxiliary personnel regarding equipment malfunctions and troubleshoot process issues as needed.
  • Conduct routine operating inspections of the unit, troubleshoot operational problems and respond to area emergencies or to changing operational situations.
  • Organize promotions and prize giveaways.
  • Work as on-air talent both in news department and as a disc jockey, as well as a part-time ad salesperson.

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 board operator vs on-air host skills

Common radio board operator skills
  • Phone Calls, 22%
  • Audio Board, 11%
  • Radio Station, 9%
  • FCC, 7%
  • Adobe Audition, 6%
  • Control Board, 6%
Common on-air host skills
  • Adobe Audition, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 8%
  • FCC, 7%
  • FM, 7%
  • Air Host, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%

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