Learn how much the average radio personality makes.
After years of listening to the top 20 countdowns or your favorite financial guru on the radio, you may be thinking of pursuing a career as a radio personality. While it sounds like an interesting and fun job with lots of public speaking and some fame, it turns out the average salary of a radio personality is not very much and the market is generally viewed as unstable.
What Is a Radio Personality?
A radio personality is a specialized type of radio announcer also known as a radio host. They generally focus the show on a topic of interest, with some of the most popular examples being politics, entertainment and personal finance. Radio personalities work with the station manager and other station personnel to plan and prepare each show's content and selecting and booking guests. They also run the actual radio show on the air, interviewing guests and discussing topics with listeners, fellow radio employees and callers.
Average Salary
The median or 50th percentile salary of a radio announcer in May 2008 was $26,940 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Occupational Employment Statistics (a department of the Bureau of Labor Statistics) lists the mean or average salary of a radio announcer the following year as $41,590 a year, with the middle 50 percent of radio announcers making between $19,390 and $42,290 a year. The 90th percentile made a salary of $76,340. This tells you that the average salary from 2009 is skewed by the few radio personalities who make a much higher than normal salary, pushing the mean up and making the median salary the more realistic "average."
Qualifications
Radio is a highly competitive business, so most radio stations prefer radio personalities who either have proven star quality to attract listeners or a solid four-year education with a major in journalism, communications or broadcasting, says the BLS. Broadcasting programs also exist, though it is the reputation of the institution that will make you either appealing or unattractive to a potential employer. Experience in the business is also highly prized and beginners do not commonly get on the air. Also, radio personalities must have a good radio voice that is easily understandable but interesting to win over listeners.
Considerations
Becoming a radio personality is a highly competitive business, especially because there are more interested applicants than available positions by far, according to the BLS. The BLS goes on to note that it is not a well-paying position except to a select few and is generally considered unstable because of unpredictable changes in format, station ownership and ratings. Add to all that the overhaul of the industry due to podcasts, Internet and satellite radio, it seems that the formerly familiar radio personality's future is uncertain.
Tags: radio personality, radio announcer, radio personalities, Average Salary, average salary, average salary radio
