Progress has been made but there is still a very large gender gap in radio leadership roles in the US.
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a US non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing female leadership in radio broadcasting, has released the results of its 25th Annual Gender Analysis Study. One of the longest-running benchmarks of female leadership progress in broadcasting, the study specifically tracks women holding General Manager, Sales Manager, and Program Director/Brand Manager positions.
The MIW Gender Analysis Study is based on raw data collected by PrecisionTrak from all U.S.-based commercial radio stations. Figures and percentages are from the calendar year 2025 and reflect 11,215 AM and FM radio stations across America.
General Managers: 22.07% (2366 stations) had women holding the General Manager position in 2025. This, compared to 2024 shows solid growth when the percentage of female General Managers was 14.9%. In the Top 100 markets, 24.09% (784 stations) were managed by women, an increase on the national average.
Sales Managers: 35.31% (3561 stations) had a woman Sales Manager in 2025, consistent on the previous year.
Program Directors/Brand Managers: Women currently program just 13.02% (289 stations) which is a slight gain from 12.38% in 2024. In the Top 100 markets, female programmers represent 15.25%.
MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said:
“Twenty-five years of data give us clarity. We are encouraged to see movement in General Manager and Programming roles, particularly within the Top 100 markets. At the same time, flat growth in sales leadership and the continued underrepresentation of women in programming nationally remind us that progress is not automatic. Sustainable advancement requires intention. MIW remains committed to mentoring, advocating, and creating pathways for women to lead at every level of the industry.”
In a 2020 study of Australia’s broadcasting industry, The devil is in the level’: understanding inequality in Australia’s Film, TV and Radio industries, they found a 21.8% gender pay gap, and that 80% of radio presenters are male.
All information provided by PrecisionTrak is subject to limitations of data provided by radio companies. The analysis is dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of PrecisionTrak (Precisiontrak.com) data as of December 31, 2025