How to hire a radio producer

How to hire a radio producer, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your radio producer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a radio producer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   This list shows salaries for various types of radio producers.

   Type of Radio Producer	Description	Hourly rate
   Radio Producer	Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.	$18-39
   Stage Manager	A stage manager is someone who oversees theatrical performances and all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows, such as lighting cues, sound, prop usage, and costume changes. The core skills that stage managers should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include excellent attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and work under pressure, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills... Show more	$15-36
   Producer Internship	Producer interns require strong analytical, delegation, planning, time management, and prioritization skills, in addition to flexibility and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Interns will need to set up rehearsals, transport musicians and instruments, plan and assist with recreational activities, and perform various other production tasks.	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Adobe Audition
   • Conduct Interviews
   • Radio Station
   • Pro Tools
   • Live Shows
   • Radio Program
   • FCC
   • Website Content
   • Audio Content
   • Sound Bites
   • Show Content
   • Show Topics
   • Program Content
   • FM

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Founded, host and manage one of the main radio programmes for Kairi Fm, a leading radio station in Dominica.
   • Screen callers, create promos, edit sound, run board.
   • Maintain organized list of programming that air, while ensuring that paid commercials run as scheduled.
   • Collaborate with production to streamline and track internal booking calendars.
   • Used information to compile competitive quarterly reviews using Microsoft PowerPoint.

   More radio producer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, radio producers' average salary in south carolina is 52% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level radio producers 53% less than senior-level radio producers.
   • Certifications. A radio producer 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 producer's salary.

   Average radio producer salary

   $57,682yearly

   $27.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level radio producer salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average radio producer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$82,966	$40
   2	New York	$80,330	$39
   3	District of Columbia	$72,033	$35
   4	Georgia	$69,061	$33
   5	Massachusetts	$57,761	$28
   6	Texas	$54,124	$26
   7	Florida	$48,314	$23

   Average radio producer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	SiriusXM	$69,160	$33.25	3
   2	WGBH	$59,838	$28.77	1
   3	Baha'i Faith	$58,703	$28.22
   4	Chinese Radio Seattle	$58,659	$28.20
   5	Univision Communications	$57,269	$27.53	15
   6	iHeartMedia	$52,359	$25.17	34

4. Writing a radio producer job description

   A radio producer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a radio producer job description:

   Radio producer job description example

   Who We Are:
   
   SiriusXM and its brands (Pandora, Stitcher, SXM Media, AdsWizz, Simplecast, and SiriusXM Connected Vehicle Services) are leading a new era of audio entertainment and services by delivering the most compelling subscription and ad-supported audio entertainment experience for listeners -- in the car, at home, and anywhere on the go with connected devices. Our vision is to shape the future of audio, where everyone can be effortlessly connected to the voices, stories and music they love wherever they are.
   
   This is the place where a diverse group of emerging talent and legends alike come to share authentic and purposeful songs, stories, sounds and insights through some of the best programming and technology in the world. Our critically-acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy, news, talk, live events, and podcasting. No matter their individual role, each of our employees plays a vital part in bringing SiriusXM's vision to life every day.
   
   SiriusXM
   
   SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America, and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. SiriusXM's platforms collectively reach approximately 150 million listeners, the largest digital audio audience across paid and free tiers in North America, and deliver music, sports, talk, news, comedy, entertainment and podcasts. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM's subsidiaries Stitcher, Simplecast and AdsWizz make it a leader in podcast hosting, production, distribution, analytics and monetization. The Company's advertising sales organization, which operates as SXM Media, leverages its scale, cross-platform sales organization and ad tech capabilities to deliver results for audio creators and advertisers. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers.
   
   How you'll make an impact:
   
   You'll be a part of a team creating superior sports radio programs on NFL Radio. This role will be responsible for impacting the audio quality of our shows including running the audio board, supporting producers on shows and working with high-level on-air talent. Exercises both creative abilities and technical skills. May be assigned to more than one program and perform slightly different functions across programs/shows. Position includes shifts on both weekdays and weekends.
   
   What you'll do:
   
   * Works with Program Director for NFL Radio to design overall sound and image of program(s), consistent with platform goals.
   * Creates, coordinates, writes and produces original programs, productions, segments, daily promos and/or specials.
   * Researches topics and themes to write scripts, line copy, and develop show content for Hosts.
   * Develops novel and creative ways to present content.
   * Participates in creative meetings to brainstorm ideas, select programming content and delegate work assignments.
   * Aggressively identifies, selects and books celebrity, expert and lifestyle guests with the programming team; oversees those assisting with guest bookings.
   * Researches guest backgrounds, develops interview questions and pre-interviews guests.
   * Coaches Hosts, talent and guests, and provides relevant information to Hosts for on-air interviews.
   * Schedules program elements prior to air, ensuring that rotation and policies are followed.
   * Develops and maintains relationships with major publicists, NFL teams, entertainment companies, and industry contacts who will be active in pursuing placement of guests on SiriusXM's programs and provide show content.
   * Trains and leads the work of Associate Producers, Production Assistants, Board Operators and Interns.
   * Monitors assigned channels/shows for quality control and reports content error and technical issues to the appropriate individuals for correction.
   * Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   Additional duties and responsibilities:
   
   * Supervises Special Projects
   * Works with broadcast operations staff to coordinate logistics for remote broadcasts.
   * Interfaces with on-air personalities, engineering staff, marketing/advertising staff, video staff, talent and artists.
   
   What you'll need:
   
   * Bachelor's degree preferred
   * At least two (3) years of experience at a radio station or audio production facility
   * Excellent creative writing and communication skills for radio
   * Strong audio editing skills.
   * Highly detail oriented
   * Strong interest in the NFL
   * Comfortable working with talent, artists and high-profile individuals
   * Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task, and work under shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
   * Extensive list of contacts to book guests for NFL Radio (NFL Team PR, Agents, Publicists, athletes, etc.)
   * Must be able to work weekends and nights.
   * Must have legal right to work in the U.S.
   
   Our goal at SiriusXM is to provide and maintain a work environment that fosters mutual respect, professionalism and cooperation. SiriusXM is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
   
   The requirements and duties described above may be modified or waived by the Company in its sole discretion without notice.
   
   R-2022-09-136

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right radio producer 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 producer job on Zippia to find and recruit radio producer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with radio producer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 producer

   Once you've selected the best radio producer 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new radio producer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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