Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Announcer or DJ Many announcers have a bachelor’s degree as well as experience working with radio and television equipment. Entry requirements for announcers and DJs vary. Broadcast announcers and radio DJs typically need a bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications; experience gained from internships or working at a school radio or television station is helpful. Other types of DJs typically need a high school diploma and some on-the-job
Education
Broadcast announcers and radio DJs typically need a bachelor’s degree in communications, broadcasting, or journalism. However, some jobs may be available for workers who have a high school diploma or equivalent. DJs, except radio typically need a high school diploma and some on-the-job training. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have hands-on skills or knowledge. High school and college students interested in a career as an announcer or DJ may benefit from taking speech classes and participating in opportunities to practice public speaking. These may include making announcements on their school’s public address system, working at their school’s radio or television station, or serving as an emcee at events. Internships also may be available, although they are often limited to college students. Training Radio and television announcers whose highest level of education is a high school diploma or equivalent also may need some short-term on-the-job training to learn how to operate audio and production equipment. Advancement Because radio and television stations in small markets have limited staff, advancement within the same small-market station is unlikely. Rather, many broadcast announcers and radio DJs advance by relocating to a large-market station. These larger markets often offer higher pay and more responsibility and challenges than do small markets. When making hiring decisions, large-market stations rely on workers' personalities and past performance. Broadcast announcers and radio DJs need to have proven that they can attract, engage, and keep the attention of a sizeable audience.
Training
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Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Projected employment of announcers and DJs varies by occupation (see table). Continuing consolidation of radio and television stations is projected to limit employment growth of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys (DJs). In addition, more radio stations may opt to run without live DJs or with artificial intelligence (AI) DJs. DJs, with the exception of radio DJs, are expected to be in demand to play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, and wedding receptions. Announcers and DJs Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Disc jockeys, except radio 4% Total, all occupations 3% Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations 1% Announcers and DJs -3% Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys -8% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Announcers and DJs Do
Announcers present news and sports or may interview guests on media such as radio and television. Disc jockeys (DJs) act as masters of ceremonies (emcees) or play recorded music at weddings, parties, or clubs.
Duties
Announcers and DJs typically do the following:
- Present music and information on radio or television shows or at venues
- Interview guests on their shows
- Research topics for comment and discussion during shows
- Read prepared scripts on radio or television shows or at venues
- Provide commentary for the audience during events
- Select program content
- Introduce upcoming acts and guide the audience through the entertainment
- Make promotional appearances at public or private events
Broadcast announcers and radio DJs present music or the news, sports, traffic, and weather. Announcers are expected to be up to date with current events or a specific field, such as politics or sports, so that they can comment on these issues during their programs. In addition, they schedule guests on their shows and work with producers to develop other creative content. Radio DJs typically specialize in one kind of music genre and announce selections as they air them. They may take requests from listeners, manage radio contests, or announce traffic conditions.
Broadcast announcers and radio DJs also may be responsible for other aspects of television or radio programming. They may operate studio equipment, sell commercial time to advertisers, or develop advertisements and other recorded material. At many radio stations, they do much of the work traditionally done by editors and broadcast technicians, such as broadcasting program schedules, commercials, and public service announcements.
Many broadcast announcers and DJs maintain a presence on social media sites. Establishing a presence allows them to promote their stations and engage with their audiences, especially through listener feedback, music requests, or program contests. They also make promotional appearances at charity functions or other community events.
The following are examples of types of broadcast announcers and radio DJs:
- Podcasters stream live or record shows that can be downloaded for listening at any time. Like traditional talk radio, podcasts typically focus on a specific subject, such as sports, politics, or movies. Podcasters may interview guests and experts on the specific program topic. Listeners may subscribe to a podcast to have new episodes automatically downloaded to their computer or mobile devices.
- Talk show hosts may work in radio or television and specialize in an area of interest, such as politics, personal finance, sports, or health. They contribute to the preparation of program content, interview guests, and discuss issues with viewers, listeners, or the studio audience.
DJs, except radio play prerecorded music for live audiences at a variety of venues or events, including clubs, parties, and wedding receptions. The following are examples of types of DJs, except radio:
- Emcees host planned events. They introduce speakers or performers to the audience. They may tell jokes or provide commentary to transition from one speaker to the next.
- Party DJs are hired to provide music and commentary at an event, such as a wedding, a birthday party, or a corporate party.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys held about 21,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys were as follows:
| Radio broadcasting stations | 56% |
| Educational services; state and local | 6 |
| Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries | 6 |
| Television broadcasting stations | 3 |
Disc jockeys, except radio held about 16,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of disc jockeys, except radio were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 56% |
| Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries | 21 |
| Food services and drinking places | 14 |
| Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries | 4 |
Broadcast announcers and radio DJs usually work in well-lit, temperature-controlled, soundproof studios. Some radio DJs produce and record their shows while working from home.
DJs, except radio work in a variety of settings, either indoors or outdoors or both. They travel to the location of the event they are hosting.
The pressure of deadlines and tight work schedules may be stressful.
Work Schedules
Work schedules for announcers and DJs vary and may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, or holidays. Part-time work also may be common.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Business skills. DJs, except radio who are self-employed must be able to market themselves and identify clients. They also need to manage the details of their business, including billing, budgeting, and other financial matters. Computer skills. Announcers and DJs, especially those seeking careers in radio or television, should be comfortable using editing software and other broadcast-related devices. Interpersonal skills. Broadcast announcers and radio DJs interview guests, answer phone calls on air, and may interact with listeners on social media. Party DJs and emcees should be comfortable working with clients to plan entertainment options. Persistence. Entry into this occupation is very competitive, and candidates may need to audition many times for an opportunity to work on the air. Entry-level broadcast announcers and radio DJs must be willing to work for a small station to secure their first job. Research skills. Announcers and DJs must research important topics of the day in order to be knowledgeable enough to comment on them during their program. Speaking skills. Announcers and DJs must have a pleasant and well-controlled voice, good timing, and excellent pronunciation. Party DJs and emcees must be comfortable speaking to large audiences. Writing skills. Announcers and DJs need strong writing skills because they normally write their own material.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about announcers and DJs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.