How To Become A Talk Show Host: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Updated April 5, 2024

3 min read

A talk show host is a person who conducts a discussion-based program on radio or television. They run the show by inviting guests to entertain the audience and discuss various topics. They also manage the show's production, collaborating with writers, editors, and other staff members. Their duties include interviewing guests, providing entertainment, and researching scripts and interview questions. The salary of a talk show host varies, depending on the show or employer, but it can be quite high, especially for popular shows.

How long does it takes to become a talk show host?

It takes approximately 6 to 8 years to become a talk show host.

Year 1-4: Earn a Bachelor's degree.

Year 5-8: Gain 2-4 years of experience in the field.

Less than 1 month: On-site and on-job training.

  • Salary$49,582
  • Growth Rate-4%
  • Jobs Number10,048
  • Complexity LevelChallenging
  • Most Common SkillRadio Station
  • Most Common DegreeBachelor's degree
  • Best StateNevada

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Talk Show Host career paths

As a talk show host, you can pursue various career paths. You can become a reporter, editor, or consultant. You can also explore marketing and management roles, including marketing manager, owner, or communications director. Additionally, you can work in production management or become an account executive, production director, or founder and CEO of your own company. Some talk show hosts even pursue careers in writing, becoming a staff writer or owner and founder of their own companies.

Key steps to become a talk show host

  1. Explore talk show host education requirements

    If you're interested in becoming a talk show host, you must consider how much education you need. Based on real talk show host resumes, 75.4% of talk show hosts have a bachelor's degree. Regarding higher education levels, 5.8% of talk show hosts have master's degrees. Even though most talk show hosts have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

  2. Start to develop specific talk show host skills

    Talk show hosts are skilled in interviewing guests, facilitating debates, and creating content for their shows. They research their own material, orchestrate sports talk shows, manage news staff, and handle production tasks. They also create and distribute import documentation, conduct interviews, and gather information for broadcasts. They have experience in booking guests, cultivating artist relations, and attending press conferences. As on-air personalities, they are adept at developing their own content, including articles for their show's website, conducting interviews, and cutting sound to be used on-air.

    SkillsPercentages
    Radio Station11.00%
    Hot Topics10.70%
    FCC8.99%
    FM6.50%
    Adobe Audition5.56%

    Show more

  3. Complete relevant talk show host training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New talk show hosts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a talk show host based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real talk show host resumes.

  4. Research talk show host duties and responsibilities

    Talk show hosts facilitate debates, create and sell advertising, anchor local news, and report on assignment. They also co-host sports talk shows, produce content, manage news staff, screen and connect phone calls, and orchestrate activities. They may also develop content for all-news morning shows, conduct on-air interviews, investigate and report on top news stories, and handle a heavy share of production.

    • Feature as DJ of the month every year for KSDB.
    • Host a weekly radio show and curate weekly song playlists.
    • Help in maintaining social media outlets for the station like Facebook.
    • Produce and appear in daily videos on line and on facebook.
  5. Prepare your talk show host resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your talk show host resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a talk show host resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Talk Show Host Resume templates

    Build a professional

    Talk Show Host

    resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.

    Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Talk Show Host resume.
  6. Apply for talk show host jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a talk show host job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How To Become A Talk Show Host: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (10)

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Average talk show host salary

The average Talk Show Host salary in the United States is $49,582 per year or $24 per hour. Talk show host salaries range between $24,000 and $100,000 per year.

Average

Talk Show Host

Salary

$49,582Yearly

$23.84

hourly

What Am I Worth?

How To Become A Talk Show Host: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (11)

How do talk show hosts rate their job?

Updated April 5, 2024

How To Become A Talk Show Host: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (12)

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Updated April 5, 2024

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How To Become A Talk Show Host: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)
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