Radio board operator vs radio disc jockey

The differences between radio board operators and radio disc jockeys 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 a radio disc jockey. Additionally, a radio board operator has an average salary of $49,329, which is higher than the $48,482 average annual salary of a radio disc jockey.

The top three skills for a radio board operator include phone calls, audio board and radio station. The most important skills for a radio disc jockey are DJ, radio station, and R.

Radio board operator vs radio disc jockey overview

	Radio Board Operator	Radio Disc Jockey
Yearly salary	$49,329	$48,482
Hourly rate	$23.72	$23.31
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	28,352	4,315
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	4	4

Radio board operator vs radio disc jockey salary

Radio board operators and radio disc jockeys have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Radio Board Operator	Radio Disc Jockey
Average salary	$49,329	$48,482
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $104,000	Between $24,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between radio board operator and radio disc jockey education

There are a few differences between a radio board operator and a radio disc jockey in terms of educational background:

	Radio Board Operator	Radio Disc Jockey
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Communication	Communication
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Radio board operator vs radio disc jockey demographics

Here are the differences between radio board operators' and radio disc jockeys' demographics:

	Radio Board Operator	Radio Disc Jockey
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%	Male, 64.2% Female, 35.8%
Race ratio	Black 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, 4.7% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.9% White, 76.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between radio board operator and radio disc jockey 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.

Radio disc jockey example responsibilities.

Manage website, Spreaker, Podbean, iTunes, YouTube and other social media accounts.
Create custom playlists, play requests, live on-air interviews; giveaways; singer/songwriters.
Comply with FCC regulations, train DJ's to use advance equipment, train new DJ's, plan station events
Host FM music shows, host internet music and talk shows, provide voice tracking, and make automated playlists.
Live on-air telephone interviews with gospel recording artist.
Produce a weekly radio program carry over FM airwaves.

Radio board operator vs radio disc jockey skills

Common radio board operator skills

Phone Calls, 22%
Audio Board, 11%
Radio Station, 9%
FCC, 7%
Adobe Audition, 6%
Control Board, 6%

Common radio disc jockey skills

DJ, 19%
Radio Station, 13%
R, 9%
Audio Equipment, 7%
FM, 5%
Playlists, 4%

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Radio Board Operator
Radio Board Operator vs Radio Disc Jockey

Updated January 8, 2025

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