Radio host vs radio disc jockey

The differences between radio hosts 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 host and a radio disc jockey. Additionally, a radio disc jockey has an average salary of $48,482, which is higher than the $46,944 average annual salary of a radio host.

The top three skills for a radio host include audio board, FM and twitter. The most important skills for a radio disc jockey are DJ, radio station, and R.

Radio host vs radio disc jockey overview

	Radio Host	Radio Disc Jockey
Yearly salary	$46,944	$48,482
Hourly rate	$22.57	$23.31
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	12,568	4,315
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	4	4

Radio host vs radio disc jockey salary

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

	Radio Host	Radio Disc Jockey
Average salary	$46,944	$48,482
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $87,000	Between $24,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between radio host and radio disc jockey education

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

	Radio Host	Radio Disc Jockey
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Communication	Communication
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Radio host vs radio disc jockey demographics

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

	Radio Host	Radio Disc Jockey
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 60.7% Female, 39.3%	Male, 64.2% Female, 35.8%
Race ratio	Black 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, 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 host and radio disc jockey 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.

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 host vs radio disc jockey skills

Common radio host skills

Audio Board, 9%
FM, 8%
Twitter, 6%
Adobe Audition, 6%
DJ, 6%
Instagram, 4%

Common radio disc jockey skills

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

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Radio Host vs Radio Disc Jockey

Updated January 8, 2025

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