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
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 training. PayThe median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $22.76 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for disc jockeys, except radio was $21.61 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $22.76 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for disc jockeys, except radio was $21.61 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations. 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.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations. 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.
What They 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.
Work Environment
Many announcers and DJs work in radio and television studios or are self-employed. Some work part time, and schedules might include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become an Announcer or DJ
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 training.
Pay
The median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $22.76 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for disc jockeys, except radio was $21.61 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Many announcers and DJs work in radio and television studios or are self-employed. Some work part time, and schedules might include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become an Announcer or DJ
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 training.
Pay
The median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $22.76 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for disc jockeys, except radio was $21.61 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of announcers and DJs is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 3,700 openings for announcers and DJs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for announcers and DJs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of announcers and DJs with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
Learn more about announcers and DJs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
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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.