Post job

Radio board operator vs on-air personality

The differences between radio board operators and on-air personalities 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 personality. Additionally, a radio board operator has an average salary of $49,329, which is higher than the $42,380 average annual salary of an on-air personality.

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 personality are facebook, FCC, and twitter.

Radio board operator vs on-air personality overview

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Personality
Yearly salary$49,329$42,380
Hourly rate$23.72$20.38
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs28,3521,507
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

Radio board operator vs on-air personality salary

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Personality
Average salary$49,329$42,380
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $104,000Between $23,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between radio board operator and on-air personality education

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Personality
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Radio board operator vs on-air personality demographics

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

Radio Board OperatorOn-Air Personality
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 76.6% Female, 23.4%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
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, 5.4% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 4.2% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between radio board operator and on-air personality 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 personality example 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.
  • Show more

Radio board operator vs on-air personality 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 personality skills
  • Facebook, 9%
  • FCC, 8%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Live Events, 7%
  • Wide Orbit, 7%
  • Control Board, 6%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs