How much do radio hosts make?
Contributing Editor
Senior Editor & Radio Host
Today we’re going to lift the lid on radio personality salaries, so you have all the information you need.
A role as a radio personality can seem like a pretty exciting gig. You get to spend your entire day listening to the music you love, and there are endless opportunities to connect with people in your local community.
Some radio hosts go on to become household names and interview leading celebrities and musicians.
Of course, while your passion might prompt you to consider a career in radio, the earning potential is most likely to decide if you’re really going to go for it.
Let’s take a closer look.
Radio personality salaries (top-end)
How much do radio hosts get paid?
The question is a complex one, because it depends on a number of factors. Where you live, what kind of show you’re presenting, and even your experience in the industry can all influence your earning potential.
Notably, a radio show salary for an average presenter is going to be a lot smaller than what the top celebs earn.
In the UK, Gary Linker earns over £1.75 million per year for his position presenting the FA Cup, Premier League, and Match of the Day. Radio 2’s Zoe Ball gets around £1.36 million per year, while Graham Norton earns around £725k.
America’s radio presenters earn even higher sums. Shock jock personalities like Howard Stern are earning millions for their career. Stern has collected around $75 million from his show, while Rush Limbaugh earned around $77 million.
Ryan Seacrest is rumored to have earned around $30 million from his daily radio show plus another $20 million from other gigs and endorsements.
Other hosts like Sean Hannity and Glen Beck have earned well into the tens of millions for their radio presence, highlighting just how lucrative this career can be.
How much does a radio host make a year? (average)
Average radio host salary
The average radio host salary is obviously a lot smaller than that of a big name like Rush Limbaugh. Of course, this doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of earning potential out there for someone with a passion for music or current affairs.
If you know how to entertain your listeners, discuss the news with class, and connect with your community, you can make a decent income.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest figures around radio hosting.
According to Payscale.com, the average salary for a radio host is around $45,611, with the potential to earn anywhere up to 96k annually if you’re in a really great role.
Mostly, what you earn depends on the what market you you work. Larger markets with higher costs of living will yield larger salaries than a small town station.
Notably, Payscale.com also found the amount you earn increases over time. Most entry-level radio hosts will earn anywhere between 35-40k per year, while the more experienced professionals can earn over 55k.
PayLab looks at the monthly income of radio hosts, who apparently earn somewhere between $2,339 and $4,900 per month. This makes the radio hosting job far from one of the highest earning careers according to PayLab, but it’s still a great way to make some cash.
Elsewhere, Workingmother.com indicates the average median salary earned by radio DJs in the use is somewhere around $35,469 per year. While this amount might vary, the salary you earn will usually depend heavily on your time in the radio business.
Experienced professionals can earn closer to $44k per year, while entry level positions fall at around $26.6k.
Another factor that impacts income is what daypart you work. Someone working the morning show will make more than the person working middays or nights.
Compensation doesn’t always come in the form of salary. Radio personalities may collect ratings bonuses, fees for remote broadcasts, voiceover work for commercials, and hosting or emceeing duties.
Radio personality salaries by role
As mentioned above, how much a radio personality makes can often depend on a number of factors, including how much experience you have, and what kind of radio host you want to be.
For instance:
Radio disc jockeys and broadcast announcers
These are professionals who read from commercial reports or news stories on radio, as well as playing various music playlists. They can research their own topics or read prepared scripts from others.
There’s no requirement for any formal education to be a radio disk jockey. Mean annual wage according to BLS is around $57,300 per year.
News anchors and reporters
People who report news on the radio have a very different earning potential. These professionals generally earn somewhere in the region of $49,300 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There’s also no work experience or certifications required here, but a bachelor’s degree is common.
Radio actors
People who act on the radio for entertainment purposes, such as part of radio shows, usually get an hourly median wage of around $31.42 according to the BLS. There’s no average annual wage reported here.
Quick facts about radio DJ salaries in the US
As you can see so far, most of the salaries available for radio presenters and hosts in the US are somewhat varied. The amount you earn is highly dependent on your situation, including what kind of radio presenting you’re doing, and what level of experience you have.
The salary ranges for talk show hosts are particularly variable, because your earning will often depend on how much of a dedicated community you build.
The standard wage of a talk show host in the US is around $30,960 on average, depending on how many hours you’re on the air. The top percentage of talk show hosts can earn over $85k per year.
What does a radio host’s salary depend on?
The amount you earn as a radio host will depend on what kind of entertainment or broadcasting you specialize in.
Other factors might include your level of experience, or how long you’ve been working in the industry, where you’re applying for the job, and the popularity of the radio channel.
Popular channels can often afford to pay higher wages.
Which radio hosts earn the most?
The biggest earners in the radio environment are usually those who can develop a strong community following.
Regardless of which channel you broadcast on, if you’re popular with your fans, most radio groups will want to pay you to work for them.
The more well-known you are, the more you can request from an annual salary.
Do radio hosts work full time?
Most radio hosts will work within a specific slot of time on their chosen channel. However, outside of these presenter moments, they will also have other tasks to complete, like conducting research, interacting on social media, and writing scripts.
Are radio hosts paid well?
This all depends on who you ask. Radio hosts can earn a decent amount of money doing a job they enjoy. If you love radio and you get the opportunity to present on a channel you enjoy, then you’ll probably be more than happy with the salary.
Can you increase your salary as a radio host?
The best way to earn more cash as a radio host is to put your heart and soul into your work. Over time, developing a strong following and making a name for yourself as an industry leader should help you to get a higher salary.
Still curious about life as a radio host? Check out some of our other articles here on Radio Fidelity to find out more.
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
