What Do Podcast Hosts Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for podcast hosts?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what podcast hosts 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.
Podcast Hosts Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about podcast hosts by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Podcast Hosts 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 Podcast Hosts
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 podcast hosts can be found.
Best Industries for Podcast Hosts
Podcast Hosts 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 podcast hosts can be found working in the Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations sector. In 2023, about 62.2% of all jobs for podcast hosts 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 Podcast Hosts Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what podcast hosts 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 podcast hosts 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 podcast hosts tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for podcast hosts, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Podcast Hosts
Based on 1,051 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Podcast Hosts
| 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 Podcast Hosts
| 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 podcast hosts, 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 podcast hosts, 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 Podcast Hosts
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 podcast hosts.
| 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 podcast hosts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for podcast hosts.
How much do podcast hosts make?
Podcast Hosts: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.