Radio show host vs on-air disc jockey

The differences between radio show hosts and on-air 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 show host and an on-air disc jockey. Additionally, a radio show host has an average salary of $47,839, which is higher than the $45,326 average annual salary of an on-air disc jockey.

The top three skills for a radio show host include show topics, radio station and audio equipment. The most important skills for an on-air disc jockey are radio commercials, radio station, and FCC.

Radio show host vs on-air disc jockey overview

	Radio Show Host	On-Air Disc Jockey
Yearly salary	$47,839	$45,326
Hourly rate	$23.00	$21.79
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	12,265	3,451
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	4	4

Radio show host vs on-air disc jockey salary

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

	Radio Show Host	On-Air Disc Jockey
Average salary	$47,839	$45,326
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $91,000	Between $23,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between radio show host and on-air disc jockey education

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

	Radio Show Host	On-Air Disc Jockey
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Communication	Communication
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Radio show host vs on-air disc jockey demographics

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

	Radio Show Host	On-Air Disc Jockey
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5%	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 4.7% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between radio show host and on-air disc jockey duties and responsibilities

Radio show host example responsibilities.

Founded, host and manage one of the main radio programmes for Kairi Fm, a leading radio station in Dominica.
Work as a DJ, preform talk sets, and create trending topics for show content
Provide show content through creating compelling and inspiring playlists featuring culturally relevant music.
Have served as local music director and a substitute DJ.
Provide transmitter readings, keep log books, conduct EBS tests as required by FCC rules and regulations.
Play music developing independent playlists and following station format reporting on news, weather, traffic and social media trends

On-air disc jockey example responsibilities.

Manage commercial production, station remotes and appearances, blogging while being on the air mid-days.
Compile weekly reports of station playlists to submit to music journals.
Play music as dictated by upper management or create playlists around specialty formats.
Check and log power output readings for station transmitter to ensure compliance with FCC rules and regulations.
Promote concerts for local venues featuring prominent musical acts via on-air ticket giveaways and on-air interviews with the headlining acts.
Monitor and document transmitter power levels to ensure station is operating within FCC approve guidelines.

Radio show host vs on-air disc jockey skills

Common radio show host skills

Show Topics, 9%
Radio Station, 9%
Audio Equipment, 7%
Facebook, 7%
FM, 6%
Twitter, 5%

Common on-air disc jockey skills

Radio Commercials, 10%
Radio Station, 9%
FCC, 8%
R, 8%
Audio Equipment, 7%
Air Personality, 6%

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Radio Show Host vs On-Air Disc Jockey

Updated January 8, 2025

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