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
- On-Air Personalities
- Podcasters
- Entertainers
- Play-by-Play Commentators
- Radio Personalities
- Radio Announcers
- Broadcasters
- Play-by-Play Announcers
- Morning Anchors
- Announcers
- Broadcast Managers
- On-Air Talents
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: 62.2%
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 23%
- Spectator Sports: 4.9%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 4.1%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 1.1%
- Motion Picture and Video Industries: 0.7%
- Other: 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 2023, about 62.2% 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 (23%), Spectator Sports (4.9%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (4.1%), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (1.1%) and Motion Picture and Video Industries (0.7%).
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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 1,051 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for On-Air Personalities
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcasting | 198 | 19% |
| Social Media | 154 | 15% |
| Podcasting | 130 | 12% |
| Journalism | 105 | 10% |
| Adobe Audition | 90 | 9% |
Top 5 Common Skills for On-Air Personalities
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 303 | 29% |
| Detail Oriented | 224 | 21% |
| Writing | 189 | 18% |
| Public Speaking | 157 | 15% |
| Editing | 142 | 14% |
Based on 1,051 job postings related to on-air personalities, broadcasting was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 19% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for social media, podcasting, journalism, adobe audition and marketing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for on-air personalities, followed by detail oriented, writing, public speaking, editing and operations.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcasting | 198 | 19% |
| Social Media | 154 | 15% |
| Podcasting | 130 | 12% |
| Journalism | 105 | 10% |
| Adobe Audition | 90 | 9% |
| Marketing | 68 | 6% |
| Content Creation | 66 | 6% |
| Transferable Skills Analysis | 58 | 6% |
| Audio Editing Software | 47 | 4% |
| Digital Audio | 45 | 4% |
| Automation | 43 | 4% |
| Audio Production | 41 | 4% |
| Live Event Support | 41 | 4% |
| Public Service Announcement | 41 | 4% |
| Talk Shows | 40 | 4% |
| Audio Editing | 39 | 4% |
| Production Equipment | 39 | 4% |
| Statistics | 34 | 3% |
| Audio Boards | 33 | 3% |
| Pronunciation | 33 | 3% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 303 | 29% |
| Detail Oriented | 224 | 21% |
| Writing | 189 | 18% |
| Public Speaking | 157 | 15% |
| Editing | 142 | 14% |
| Operations | 127 | 12% |
| Management | 124 | 12% |
| Research | 115 | 11% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 108 | 10% |
| Multitasking | 92 | 9% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 84 | 8% |
| Sales | 79 | 8% |
| Organizational Skills | 63 | 6% |
| Prioritization | 59 | 6% |
| Problem Solving | 56 | 5% |
| Professionalism | 56 | 5% |
| Time Management | 56 | 5% |
| Microsoft Office | 55 | 5% |
| Planning | 55 | 5% |
| Innovation | 51 | 5% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for On-Air Personalities
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| On-Air Personalities | 324 | 17.5% |
| Podcasters | 165 | 8.9% |
| Entertainers | 144 | 7.8% |
| Play-by-Play Commentators | 102 | 5.5% |
| Radio Personalities | 105 | 5.7% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was on-air personalities, with 119 unique job postings. Podcasters were second, with 77 postings, followed by entertainers, play-by-play commentators and radio personalities.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to on-air personalities.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| On-Air Personalities | 324 | 17.5% |
| Podcasters | 165 | 8.9% |
| Entertainers | 144 | 7.8% |
| Play-by-Play Commentators | 102 | 5.5% |
| Radio Personalities | 105 | 5.7% |
| Radio Announcers | 81 | 4.4% |
| Broadcasters | 47 | 2.5% |
| Play-by-Play Announcers | 44 | 2.4% |
| Morning Anchors | 48 | 2.6% |
| Announcers | 599 | 32.4% |
| Broadcast Managers | 25 | 1.4% |
| On-Air Talents | 56 | 3% |
| Sports Announcers | 26 | 1.4% |
| Podcast Hosts | 14 | 0.8% |
| Anchors | 11 | 0.6% |
| Sports Broadcasters | 12 | 0.6% |
| On Air Announcers | 11 | 0.6% |
| Actors | 17 | 0.9% |
| Directors of Broadcasting and Media Relations | 6 | 0.3% |
| Morning News Anchors | 13 | 0.7% |
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?
All Occupations
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