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Radio host vs on-air host

The differences between radio hosts 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 host and an on-air host. Additionally, a radio host has an average salary of $46,944, which is higher than the $45,873 average annual salary of an on-air host.

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

Radio host vs on-air host overview

Radio HostOn-Air Host
Yearly salary$46,944$45,873
Hourly rate$22.57$22.05
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs12,56810,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age5050
Years of experience44

Radio host vs on-air host salary

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

Radio HostOn-Air Host
Average salary$46,944$45,873
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $87,000Between $24,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between radio host and on-air host education

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

Radio HostOn-Air Host
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Radio host vs on-air host demographics

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

Radio HostOn-Air Host
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 60.7% Female, 39.3%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 host and on-air host duties and responsibilities

Radio host example 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.
  • 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 host vs on-air host skills

Common radio host skills
  • Audio Board, 9%
  • FM, 8%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Adobe Audition, 6%
  • DJ, 6%
  • Instagram, 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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