How to hire a talk show host

How to hire a talk show host, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a talk show host, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   Here's a comparison of talk show host salaries for various roles:

   Type of Talk Show Host	Description	Hourly rate
   Talk Show 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.	$11-48
   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
   Radio Internship	In a radio internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, they gather industry insights and experience while performing support tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, conducting research, and running errands as needed... Show more	$10-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Radio Station
   • Hot Topics
   • FCC
   • FM
   • Adobe Audition
   • On-Air Content
   • Play-By-Play
   • Twitter
   • Local News
   • Community Events
   • Show Content
   • Sports Stories
   • Sweepers
   • Sports News

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Feature as DJ of the month every year for KSDB.
   • Host a weekly radio show and curate weekly song playlists.
   • Help in maintaining social media outlets for the station like Facebook.
   • Produce and appear in daily videos on line and on facebook.
   • Brainstorm and plan promotions for concert ticket giveaways and pre-concert parties in parking lots of venues
   • Provide a play-by-play narrative of games with analysis, statistics, stories, rules and sports history.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, talk show hosts' average salary in georgia is 43% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level talk show hosts 76% less than senior-level talk show hosts.
   • Certifications. A talk show 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 talk show host's salary.

   Average talk show host salary

   $49,582yearly

   $23.84 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level talk show host salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a talk show host job description

   A talk show host 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a talk show host job description:

   Talk show host job description example

   KSN is looking for a dynamic on-air host/video producer to join Good Day Kansas. Responsibilities include development of show themes and content, guiding guests through the appearance process including research and interviews for both in-studio and on-location shoots.
   
   Successful candidate will have a minimum of two years' experience with pre-produced television content, on air interviewing, writing, storytelling, videography, non-linear editing and content generation skills. Ability to host and produce lifestyle segments both independently and cooperatively. Ability to self-promote in broadcast and social media. Ability to showcase stories, knows how to leverage web and social media to help drive ratings and gets the importance of engaging storytelling. Requires dynamic anchoring, shooting, editing, and interviewing skills. Must have strong editorial judgement, research experience, effective communication, project management and good written and oral communication skills.
   
   Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required to actively work with all departments (News, Sales, Creative Services, Master Control) at the station Must be able to make quick and sound editorial decisions Interviewing guests/clients both in studio and on location in a non-scripted, fun, lifestyle show environment Knowledge of current events, popular culture, and compelling subjects Competent in finding, shooting and editing engaging stories Researching show topics and developing questions for guests
   Requirements & Skills
   
   Bachelors' degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience Minimum of two years' experience required Fluency in English required Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required Superior on-camera presence Proficiency with computers, tablets and mobile digital devices Proficiency with research skills Excellent reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and organizational skills Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously Promote teamwork and maintain attitude of cooperation with all station personnel Flexibility to work varied hours as needed Operate computer systems, editing and camera equipment Use various digital and social platforms to share stories and interact with the public
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT/MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: High stress environment with deadline pressures. Travel will be required on a regular basis. Position requires the transport of equipment weighing up to 60 lbs. Position often requires work in extreme outdoor temperatures. A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
   NOTE: This job description contains the basic requirements for the position and is NOT intended to be a complete list of responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.
   
   Provide resume and digital reel when applying.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find talk show hosts for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your talk show host job on Zippia to find and recruit talk show 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 talk show 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 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 talk show host

   Once you have selected a candidate for the talk show host position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new talk show host. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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