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What i$ the JOCK RATE for Afternoon$ and Morning$ in Dalla$???

R

RadioGeeker

Guest
What is the JOCK RATE for Afternoons and Mornings in Dallas???
I am out of the Market and worst thing is to take a gig to find out you cant make it later!!! cost of living calculator kinda works...

But I need some help is there like an average rate for Mornings and Afternoons that the Market pays???

It's a competitive $tation with Money, Not a MOM or POP Comp...

Thank you,
RadioGeeker
 
I'd actually be more apt to take a job at a mom and pop station. The Big companies aren't really rolling in the dough right now.
 
Thank you sir!! lol But whats a ball park rate!! If you can help Thank you!!!
 
Pretty good question. Smart idea to ask.

I do agree that "aspiring to be in the big markets" isn't what it used to be. A good small-medium market can provide stability, freedom of expression on your station and less corporate BS as a whole. And that in itself should have a "dollar value" assessed to it. Having said that, you have dreams and want to make a move. That's commendable!

I have friends still in traffic, news and in music radio...and we can talk openly about this. If you're with a third party news/traffic service- forget it. They've driven market #5 salaries down into the upper $20s/low $30s- at best- no matter what your experience. Still a little money in music radio, but not by much more. I'll bet you can get $40-70k out of them, depending on the ratings/revenue of the station. Client endorsements in this market are an option too, but don't count on them when negotiating. If they come to you, they're a bonus.

Not sure of your situation- single or with a family to support. But I am sure that the quickest way to squeeze the joy out of your job is to live to work and not make enough to enjoy yourself (within reason!) in your free time.

Good luck!
 
I always find the topic of radio salaries to be somewhat amusing, if not downright annoying. Just because a handful of people make huge $$$, most outsiders assume we all make great money. I wish. I've been on-the-air since 1969 and I've yet to have a W-2 form that showed a salary of 40K. Years ago when I was teaching at Elkins, I used to tell my students, "I'll tell you how to get into radio.....if you'll tell me how to get out!!!"

Jason Walker
 
Rock Chalk said:
I always find the topic of radio salaries to be somewhat amusing, if not downright annoying. Just because a handful of people make huge $$$, most outsiders assume we all make great money. I wish. I've been on-the-air since 1969 and I've yet to have a W-2 form that showed a salary of 40K. Years ago when I was teaching at Elkins, I used to tell my students, "I'll tell you how to get into radio.....if you'll tell me how to get out!!!"

Jason Walker
Click to expand...

Ummm, doing it wrong. ::)
 
I can't remember who told me this old saying, but I still use it a lot. "Radio: The most glamorous way to live in poverty!"
 
MrG said:
Rock Chalk said:
I always find the topic of radio salaries to be somewhat amusing, if not downright annoying. Just because a handful of people make huge $$$, most outsiders assume we all make great money. I wish. I've been on-the-air since 1969 and I've yet to have a W-2 form that showed a salary of 40K. Years ago when I was teaching at Elkins, I used to tell my students, "I'll tell you how to get into radio.....if you'll tell me how to get out!!!"

Jason Walker
Click to expand...

Ummm, doing it wrong. ::)
Click to expand...

One thing I do know about Jason Walker is that he is definitely not doing it wrong. His longevity speaks volumes.
 
ButtnPushr said:
$40-70K to start, or in your second contract..?
Click to expand...

Not sure. The "youngster" I'm thinking of is almost 3 years into his tenure & making about $50k. Don't know if he's under contract. But on a station with strong revenue, consistently decent ratings.
 
idiggraves said:
ButtnPushr said:
$40-70K to start, or in your second contract..?
Click to expand...

The problem is twofold. First, between voice tracking and Ryan Seacrest, there aren't as many full-time 'live' afternoon gigs anymore. Secondly, if you can find a gig, the pay isn't what it used to be. I turned down two full time gigs in the last 6 months. One, a Hot AC in a top 25 market, offered me $35K base for a five hour daily airshift, a two hour daily prod shift, and a 'back up' for music scheduling. Sheesh!! I told the PD that I could make that much at Best Buy. In Dallas/Ft. Worth, I would expect that number to be higher. But, I DO know of one very highly rated station in this market paying part time on-air folks $11 per hour!!! Amazing!! Nope, it ain't what it used to be.....which is why I feel very fortunate.
Click to expand...
 
johnsummers said:
idiggraves said:
ButtnPushr said:
$40-70K to start, or in your second contract..?
Click to expand...

The problem is twofold. First, between voice tracking and Ryan Seacrest, there aren't as many full-time 'live' afternoon gigs anymore. Secondly, if you can find a gig, the pay isn't what it used to be. I turned down two full time gigs in the last 6 months. One, a Hot AC in a top 25 market, offered me $35K base for a five hour daily airshift, a two hour daily prod shift, and a 'back up' for music scheduling. Sheesh!! I told the PD that I could make that much at Best Buy. In Dallas/Ft. Worth, I would expect that number to be higher. But, I DO know of one very highly rated station in this market paying part time on-air folks $11 per hour!!! Amazing!! Nope, it ain't what it used to be.....which is why I feel very fortunate.
Click to expand...


Right now, I would take an $11 an hour job. But since I'm not in the radio field, probably wouldn't get hired anyway. ;D
Click to expand...
 
johnsummers said:
But, I DO know of one very highly rated station in this market paying part time on-air folks $11 per hour!!! Amazing!!
Click to expand...

I think the amazing part is that there are still part time on-air folks. I figured voicetracking and syndication wiped all of us out years ago...

That gives me some sort of hope!
 
Yes, there are....you're talking to one. One of the unintended consequences of all of this voice tracking is a lack of...well...bodies to do stuff (lol)....like appearances, board op duties, etc. So, it's always good to have some part timers on the staff, especially these days. BTW, the station I referenced in an earlier post is NOT the one that (still) employs me, glad to say.
 
Rock Chalk said:
I've been on-the-air since 1969 and I've yet to have a W-2 form that showed a salary of 40K.
Click to expand...

Jason, I hope you have some other sources of income, family money, or a gainfully employed spouse. My secretary makes more than $40K. Please understand that I'm not being critical. (I went to Elkin many years ago.)
 
I've spent the better part of the last 20 years working seven days a week, with a full and a parttime job. I just recently gave up the weekend gig so I could have some time off. Perhaps the early thread was right....maybe I have done some things wrong. But I love radio and can't imagine doing anything else.

Jason Walker
 
Rock Chalk said:
But I love radio and can't imagine doing anything else.
Click to expand...

Radio people are without a doubt some of the most dedicated employees. It's too bad that their employers are not willing to return the loyalty.
 
I don't know if we're dedicated or just crazy. Maybe both. As to MrG's earlier post, I'm sure I have done some things wrong, both on & off the air. In fact, I've made some incredibly stupid decisions...opened my mouth at the wrong time.....and no doubt ticked off a couple of PDs and GMs along the way. But that's radio. I just feel bad for some very talented former jocks, guys up around my age who can't find a gig. I'll omit his name right now, but a great friend of mine is a former long-time jock at KPLX. One of the best. For several years now he has driven a Courtesy Van for a Las Vegas casino/hotel. Barely makes minimum wage and relies on tips. Another friend my age is now working 28 hours a week at a Quick Trip. Back in the 1980s he was making about 35K here in Dallas and always sounded great on the air. Neither one of these guys can find an on-air gig. Think these are isolated cases???? Think again.

No MrG, I never made 40K a year. But I worked hard. Guess I just didn't work hard enough to become successful like you.

Jason Walker
 
The manager of the Pizza Inn in my small home town was making $50K per year in 1984. Car salesmen here are making as much as $150,000. If your chosen profession doesn't need you, you have to change professions. That's what I did, which is why I'm not in the business any more.
 
Finding any other career after one has been in broadcasting for years if not decades is difficult if not impossible. Lots of people can attest to this. Show me a 50k job that doesn't require "experience in the field" and/or a college degree in that field, where someone formerly in broadcasting could apply, and get, said job.
 
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