What Do On-Air Personalities Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for on-air personalities?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what on-air personalities do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
On-Air Personalities Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about on-air personalities by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
On-Air Personalities speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
Popular Job Titles For On-Air Personalities
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Community Liaisons
- Network Analysts
- Permitting Coordinators
- Permitting Specialists
- On-Air Talents
- Sports Directors
- Network Leads
- On-Air Personalities
- Announcers
- Radio Personalities
- IT Network Managers
- School Community Liaisons
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for on-air personalities can be found.
Best Industries for On-Air Personalities
On-Air Personalities Jobs By Industry
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations: 57.7%
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 30.7%
- Spectator Sports: 3.7%
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers: 1.6%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 1.3%
- Motion Picture and Video Industries: 0.6%
- Other: 4.4%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of on-air personalities can be found working in the Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations sector. In 2022, about 57.7% of all jobs for on-air personalities were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (30.7%), Spectator Sports (3.7%), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (1.6%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (1.3%) and Motion Picture and Video Industries (0.6%).
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What Do On-Air Personalities Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what on-air personalities do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work on-air personalities do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that on-air personalities tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for on-air personalities, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's On-Air Personalities
Based on 5,859 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for On-Air Personalities
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 880 | 15% |
| Hospice | 569 | 10% |
| Social Media | 469 | 8% |
| Broadcasting | 436 | 7% |
| Journalism | 408 | 7% |
Top 5 Common Skills for On-Air Personalities
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,960 | 33% |
| Sales | 900 | 15% |
| Writing | 893 | 15% |
| Management | 881 | 15% |
| Detail Oriented | 758 | 13% |
Based on 5,859 job postings related to on-air personalities, marketing was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 15% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for hospice, social media, broadcasting, journalism and healthcare industry knowledge were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for on-air personalities, followed by sales, writing, management, detail oriented and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 880 | 15% |
| Hospice | 569 | 10% |
| Social Media | 469 | 8% |
| Broadcasting | 436 | 7% |
| Journalism | 408 | 7% |
| Healthcare Industry Knowledge | 344 | 6% |
| Project Management | 310 | 5% |
| Public Relations | 255 | 4% |
| Home Health Care | 243 | 4% |
| Pronunciation | 226 | 4% |
| Adobe Audition | 218 | 4% |
| Office Equipment | 192 | 3% |
| Social Work | 189 | 3% |
| Brand Awareness | 164 | 3% |
| Community Outreach | 154 | 3% |
| Blogs | 152 | 3% |
| Business Development | 152 | 3% |
| Land Zoning | 140 | 2% |
| Content Creation | 129 | 2% |
| Sales Planning | 118 | 2% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,960 | 33% |
| Sales | 900 | 15% |
| Writing | 893 | 15% |
| Management | 881 | 15% |
| Detail Oriented | 758 | 13% |
| Customer Service | 700 | 12% |
| Operations | 602 | 10% |
| Planning | 591 | 10% |
| Microsoft Office | 580 | 10% |
| Public Speaking | 578 | 10% |
| Problem Solving | 512 | 9% |
| Multitasking | 511 | 9% |
| Presentations | 498 | 8% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 492 | 8% |
| Editing | 486 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 446 | 8% |
| Self-Motivation | 446 | 8% |
| English Language | 415 | 7% |
| Research | 415 | 7% |
| Leadership | 413 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for On-Air Personalities
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Community Liaisons | 4,874 | 39.6% |
| Network Analysts | 587 | 4.8% |
| Permitting Coordinators | 679 | 5.5% |
| Permitting Specialists | 895 | 7.3% |
| On-Air Talents | 836 | 6.8% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was community liaisons, with 1,085 unique job postings. Network analysts were second, with 348 postings, followed by permitting coordinators, permitting specialists and on-air talents.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to on-air personalities.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Community Liaisons | 4,874 | 39.6% |
| Network Analysts | 587 | 4.8% |
| Permitting Coordinators | 679 | 5.5% |
| Permitting Specialists | 895 | 7.3% |
| On-Air Talents | 836 | 6.8% |
| Sports Directors | 941 | 7.7% |
| Network Leads | 399 | 3.2% |
| On-Air Personalities | 651 | 5.3% |
| Announcers | 506 | 4.1% |
| Radio Personalities | 763 | 6.2% |
| IT Network Managers | 177 | 1.4% |
| School Community Liaisons | 239 | 1.9% |
| IT Network Analysts | 106 | 0.9% |
| Public Address Announcers | 101 | 0.8% |
| Radio Announcers | 110 | 0.9% |
| Morning Show Hosts | 135 | 1.1% |
| Broadcasters | 83 | 0.7% |
| Family Liaisons | 129 | 1% |
| Producers/on-Air Talents | 49 | 0.4% |
| Directors of Evaluation | 33 | 0.3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for on-air personalities? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for on-air personalities.
How much do on-air personalities make?
On-Air Personalities: How do you become one?
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