I was considering becoming a program director a while back but it seems very hard to get into. I'm between a few different things now like graphic design, fashion design, and a conservation warden. I pretty much know the salaries of those jobs but what is the salary of a program director in a sized market like Milwaukee, WI? I just wonder if they make more money than conservation wardens or about the same. How much does a regular DJ make? I also wonder if radio is harder to get into than conservation or the other jobs I listed.
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What is the salary of a PD in a medium market?
- Thread starter icycool7227
- Start date
well if no one is going to respond, I will ask every PD personally what they make then.
icycool7227 said:
In LA, you will find PDs making anywhere from arond the $60's to well over a half-million. Some also do an airshift, others do more than one station. Some stations are better rated, and the PD may make half their income on bonuses and incentives, and others may be poor AM facilities where the PD is also the Operations Manager and my be responsible for paid or block programming, etc.
This example, based on one market, should show you that a PD position is a management position and that there is no standard wage.
The PD postions in a larger markets generally require quite a bit of prior experience, generally on air and then as APD or MD. There are cases of people starting at the bottom and working their way up at a major station, but the usual career path involves working in a smaller market and moving upwards as the opportunities arrise. That, of course, requires that the person show ratings success on the air or as a PD in a smaller market.
THis is not like going to real estate school for 6 weeks and going out and selling houses (a poor analogy in this economy, of course). You have to spend years and years sometimes before ever getting a chance to program. Sure, there are some very gifted indviduals who become PDs in large markets in their early 20's, but this is not that common (the youngest I've seen was 18 for a larger market PD position).
icycool7227 said:
I think that statement in a vast understatement. Pretty much everybody in radio wants to be a PD. And from the tone of your post, you don't have radio experience. One of the PDs main duties is coaching and getting the best out of talent. That would be tough to do with no experience. Also, as mentioned, you need a winning track record (big ratings). Basically you have to be one of the best in the game before you can become a coach.
Also, there is a lot of knowledge you need to know not directly related to on air. Getting ratings/listeners isn't as easy as spinning good tunes and running good contests. You have to know how to turn P1s into P2s, increase CUME, etc.
I'll be the first to admit, when it comes to that last sentance I don't really understand what I'm talking about, or if it even made any sense, but a PD would need to know and understand these things. I too aspire to be a PD, but I'm taking the long road (on air, prod, music etc).
Good luck, but if you are in it for money, it seems like your better off where you are. In radio you have to start at the bottom, and the bottom is a lot lower than it is in most industries. If you still want to give it a shot...Good luck. There is alot of great people on here willing to share their knowledge. Learn all you can and work as hard as you can.
Randy.
You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate! That's the correct answer to your question!
H
hornet61
Guest
ROCKTHEMIC said:
Amen brother.
ROCKTHEMIC said:
Lol, I like that quote thanks.
Very good advice everyone. What makes me mad is that I thought I had to go to this one radio school but I keep reading DJs profiles that all they've done really is take a Communications class. Oh well, it's still open to me as part time but I'll focus on something else for now, at least until I get the driver's license.
R
rickradio
Guest
icycool7227 said:
No driver's license, huh? That would imply that you have no car, either. How are you going to get to the station? Walk? Mass transit? Bicycle? Rides from friends? A PD will want to know if you have reliable transportation as it's YOUR responsibility to get to work, and on time.
Well, don't take it personally when they tell you that it's "none of your business."
A
Andy Winford
Guest
If you can do this you are well on your way to becoming an ex-PD.
The most correct answer is "as little as the Manager wants to pay."
Obviously, this is your first pd gig. What will you do (in advance) to show that YOU are the person for the job?
Management experience and LEADERSHIP skills
Why should the minimum wage folks listen to YOU?
Do you have a set of pipes?
DJ abilities and skill at coaching the staff
Do you know automation? Satellite stuff?
O, PS.....Radio school?
Did you learn to operate a cd player?
Try college then experience. Then, you'll be at the curve, not yet ahead of it.
PROVE yourself, or your not worth hiring.
Start at the bottom and do everything.
Good luck!!
Obviously, this is your first pd gig. What will you do (in advance) to show that YOU are the person for the job?
Management experience and LEADERSHIP skills
Why should the minimum wage folks listen to YOU?
Do you have a set of pipes?
DJ abilities and skill at coaching the staff
Do you know automation? Satellite stuff?
O, PS.....Radio school?
Did you learn to operate a cd player?
Try college then experience. Then, you'll be at the curve, not yet ahead of it.
PROVE yourself, or your not worth hiring.
Start at the bottom and do everything.
Good luck!!
Andy Winford said:
That's funny. As I said, I don't know what I'm talking about...but a PD should.
Randy.
ps. Just for interest sake, could somebody explain What exactly a P1 and P2 is. I can't find any info on the net.
Randy Lahey said:
Nearly all listeners tune to 3 or more stations in a typical week. In the People Meter (PPM) it is more like 5 to 6.
A P1 listener is one who listens to a particular station more than any other... Preference Level 1. A P2 listenes to a station more than any others but one.
Generally, the P1 and P2 listeners make up about 90% of the listening to a station in the PPM.
Thanks David. I knew it had to do with listeners, but I didn't know exactly.
Randy.
Randy.
The object is to convert the entire listener base to P1/ P2... Or build brand loyalty!
A
Andy Winford
Guest
Generally you want as much of your cume to be converted to P1's as possible. Your cume conversion model should look like an upside down triangle. For example 40% P1, 30% P2, 20% P3 and 10% P4. If the P2 number is higher than the P1 number you're probably in trouble. If your P1 conversion is over 50% your seriously kicking ass.
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