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Radio disc jockey: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,340median pay per year, or $22.76 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $28,190lowest 10% earn less
  2. $35,36025th percentile
  3. $47,340median
  4. $75,48075th percentile
  5. $138,440top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys earned a median of $47,340 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to shrink 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-7.6%[2]
Openings per year
2,000[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do radio disc jockeys make?

The median wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $47,340 a year, or $22.76 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $78,720 a year, or $37.85 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,190, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $138,440[4]. In hourly terms, those boundaries were $13.55 and $66.56[9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

Point in the range Annual wage Source
25th percentile[4] $35,360
Median[1] $47,340
75th percentile[4] $75,480

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 47 states with published data, New York had the highest median wage, at $81,310, followed by Maryland at $74,480 and New Jersey at $70,800[12]. South Carolina had the lowest published median, at $30,960[12].

California had the most jobs, at 1,620, followed by New York with 1,460 and Indiana with 1,040[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the highest median, at $124,810, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $88,030[14]. The New York area also had the most jobs, at 1,090, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim was next with 600[15].

Show median pay in 47 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[12]$81,3101,460
Maryland$74,480290
New Jersey$70,800190
Indiana$61,7601,040
Nevada$60,460160
Massachusetts$60,200280
Florida$56,360990
Rhode Island$55,11090
Pennsylvania$52,080830
Hawaii$51,030140
Colorado$50,660310
Texas$49,050960
Tennessee$48,290970
Arizona$47,930410
North Carolina$47,910830
Idaho$46,94050
Illinois$46,720770
Michigan$46,640650
Oregon$46,190240
Utah$46,080190
New Hampshire$46,00070
Missouri$45,460470
Nebraska$45,020280
Alaska$44,79080
Washington$44,420620
Virginia$44,400460
Maine$44,000170
Minnesota$43,530750
Ohio$42,440910
Georgia$42,020490
South Dakota$40,630230
Wisconsin$40,630580
New Mexico$38,940190
Alabama$38,530300
North Dakota$38,500180
Iowa$37,090320
Wyoming$36,76050
Kentucky$36,170340
Arkansas$36,160300
Oklahoma$36,110300
West Virginia$35,400130
Vermont$35,220110
Kansas$35,130440
Montana$35,000130
Mississippi$34,040160
Louisiana$33,020190
South Carolina$30,960150

How to become a radio disc jockey

The training details here come from a profile that covers announcers and DJs as a wider group, so some points apply to related jobs too[16].

Some jobs may be open to workers with a high school diploma or equivalent[17]. Those workers may need short-term on-the-job training on audio and production equipment[21]. Small stations have limited staff, so many announcers advance by moving to a large-market station, which often offers higher pay and more responsibility[22].

What radio disc jockeys and announcers do

These workers speak or read from scripts on radio, television or other media. They may also play music, name the station or interview guests[23]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

These workers usually work in well-lit, climate-controlled, soundproof studios. Some produce and record shows from home[25]. Radio broadcasting stations were the largest employer in 2025, at 56% of jobs in the wider announcer and DJ group[26].

Schedules vary and may include early mornings, late nights, weekends or holidays. Part-time work also may be common[27]. Deadlines and tight schedules may be stressful[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys to fall 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 21,800 to 20,200 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

Even so, BLS expects about 2,000 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 6.4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.1% move to a different occupation[29].

Is it a good fit?

The median is a little below the all-occupations median, but the range is wide, from $28,190 at the 10th percentile to $138,440 at the 90th[1][5][4]. Entry is very competitive, and entry-level workers must be willing to start at a small station[20]. Employment is projected to decline, though turnover still creates openings each year[2][6]. Larger markets often pay more[22].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[30].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a radio disc jockey make an hour?
The median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $22.76 in May 2025[1]. The average was $37.85[8].
What degree do you need to be a radio DJ?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education[7]. Some jobs may be open to workers with a high school diploma or equivalent[17].
Is radio disc jockey a growing job?
No. Employment is projected to decline 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][3]. About 2,000 openings a year are still projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for radio disc jockeys?
Among states with published data, New York had the highest median wage, at $81,310[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys in the US was $47,340 per year and $22.76 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys is projected to decline 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 21,800 to 20,200 jobs (a change of -1,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys: 10th percentile $28,190, 25th percentile $35,360, 75th percentile $75,480, 90th percentile $138,440. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,000 openings for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys was $78,720 per year and $37.85 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys: 10th percentile $13.55, 25th percentile $17.00, 75th percentile $36.29, 90th percentile $66.56. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys jobs: California 1,620; New York 1,460; Indiana 1,040; Florida 990; Tennessee 970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $124,810; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $88,030; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $83,680; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $79,310; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $75,710; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $71,350; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $70,110; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $69,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,090 (median $124,810); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 600; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 560 (median $48,340); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 480 (median $49,470); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 420 (median $44,580); Bloomington, IN 360 (median $67,450). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Announcers and DJs" covers Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of announcers and djs in 2025: Radio broadcasting stations 56%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys: 6.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  30. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.