WASHINGTON — The typical radio newsroom returned to two full-time employees in 2025, according to new research from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School.
The average radio newsroom grew to 3.8 full-time employees, while part-time staffing held steady at 1.7. The median, however, shows how small many operations remain.
Noncommercial stations reported a median of three full-time news employees. Commercial stations reported a median of only one, meaning a single person may be responsible for reporting, editing, anchoring, digital publishing and emergency coverage.
Staffing gains appeared across most market sizes, and no market segment reported a decline. Large markets posted the largest increase. Even so, a move from one or two employees does not automatically restore the reporting capacity lost during years of consolidation and cuts.
Source: Radio Television Digital News Association staffing report, September 10, 2026.