How to hire a radio host

How to hire a radio host, step by step

Here's a step-by-step radio 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 radio host job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new radio host
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the radio host you need to hire. Certain radio host roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A radio host's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, radio 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of radio hosts and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Radio Host	Description	Hourly rate
   Radio 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.	$12-41
   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
   Morning Show Host	A morning show host plays a vital role in making morning shows entertaining and worth watching. They showcase their personalities while delivering news from around the world and facilitating cooking segments, interviews, games, and various discussions... Show more	$11-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Audio Board
   • FM
   • Twitter
   • Adobe Audition
   • DJ
   • Instagram
   • Public Service Announcements
   • News Stories
   • Playlists
   • Program Content
   • Morning Show
   • FCC
   • Play-By-Play
   • Sound Board

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Founded, host and manage one of the main radio programmes for Kairi Fm, a leading radio station in Dominica.
   • Learned FCC regulations, how to use live radio equipment, create show content, review albums for radio hosts
   • Broadcast live over FM radio and online.
   • Air timed commercial breaks and appropriate PSAs and promos.
   • Utilize a radio control panel as an on-air disc jockey.
   • Arrange ticket giveaways, merchandise promotions and personal appearances by the artists.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, radio hosts' average salary in nebraska is 50% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level radio hosts 71% less than senior-level radio hosts.
   • Certifications. A radio 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 radio host's salary.

   Average radio host salary

   $46,944yearly

   $22.57 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level radio host salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a radio host job description

   A job description for a radio 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 radio host job description:

   Radio host job description example

   Radio Host/ Digital Content Writer - WKXZ (The Star 93.9)
   
   The Legendary WKXZ Oneonta is looking for its next Content Creator/Morning Show Host Superstar!
   
   Along with great on-air skills, we're looking for a strong content creator and someone to be the champion of the station on the streets - you must be a 360 talent to propel the brand to new heights.
   
   Townsquare is a digital-first company, built in tandem with great radio brands that emphasize great local content and community involvement. You must be excited to embrace and prioritize the digital world alongside the terrestrial and be ready to learn and grow with a world-class team.
   
   Applicants must be social media savvy, regularly contribute great local content to the station's website, mobile app, and all social platforms. Digital is not an afterthought here, it is part of our DNA - and what sets us apart.
   
   The successful candidate must be able to connect and engage with the station's target audience on all platforms. You're ready to put down roots, build community relationships and become a part of sunny Oneonta, NY - at a driven and inventive company that strongly values our most important asset - our people. We're in it for the long haul, and we're looking for someone that's ready to build and be part of that future.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Host morning drive program and be live on air Monday Friday.
   * Spend time each day doing daily show prep.
   * Entertains and informs the listener audience both on the air, via digital content, and social media outlets.
   * Publish a minimum of 2 original local articles per day on the station website and mobile app.
   * Write assigned Facebook posts along with other social media platforms.
   * Conducts on-air interviews, attends and assists in all market cluster live events, and produces commercials on a daily basis.
   * Conducts Live Remotes and appearances and assist in special promotions and programming activities.
   
   Qualifications
   
   * History of original written digital content
   * Knowledge of basic FCC rules and regulations.
   * Must have superior knowledge of current events and (insert format here)
   * Ability to interact with management and staff at all levels, multi-task, and handle pressures and deadlines.
   * Skill in operation of control board, remote broadcasting, and other related production equipment.
   * Quickly become proficient in NexGen and Adobe Audition.
   * Computer literacy in applicable programs and excellent verbal communication skills.
   * Public speaking skills and ability to interact with listeners and clients in a public setting.
   * Problem-solving ability and skill in prioritizing.
   
   Benefits
   
   * 3 weeks of PTO (+ 9 paid holidays)
   * Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
   * 401(k) Retirement Plan
   * Casual, high-energy work environment
   * Opportunity for upward mobility
   * Company provided laptop
   * Competitive salary + bonus program
   * Company discounts
   * Pet Insurance
   * Time off for volunteering
   
   About Us
   
   Townsquare is a community-focused digital media, digital marketing solutions and radio company focused outside the Top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include Townsquare Interactive, a digital marketing services subscription business providing web sites, search engine optimization, social platforms and online reputation management for approximately 21,900 SMBs; Townsquare IGNITE, a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology with an in-house demand and data management platform; and Townsquare Media, our portfolio of 322 local terrestrial radio stations in 67 cities with corresponding local news and entertainment websites and apps including legendary brands such as WYRK.com, WJON.com, and NJ101.5.com, along with a network of national music brands including XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com and Loudwire.com.
   
   TOWNSQUARE MEDIA BROADCASTING, LLC MAINTAINS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE AND IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. APPLICANTS MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE U.S.
   
   Townsquare Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Townsquare Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Townsquare Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Townsquare Media's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
   
   #LI-SB1

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right radio host for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your radio host job on Zippia to find and recruit radio host candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit radio hosts, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 radio host

   Once you've selected the best radio host candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new radio host. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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