Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys earn $47,340 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $35,360 and $75,480. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
Also known as:
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys earn $47,340 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,360 and $75,480. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The mean wage for this occupation is $78,720, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
The BLS projects -5.5% employment change for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 2,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Declining employment projected.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $47,340 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 2,050 | $71,570 | +51.2% |
| 2 | California | 2,000 | $73,930 | +56.2% |
| 3 | Texas | 1,300 | $43,130 | -8.9% |
| 4 | Indiana | 1,040 | $61,350 | +29.6% |
| 5 | Florida | 970 | $46,780 | -1.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication & Media | 56,620 | $56,359 | 1,406 |
| 2 | Public Relations | 20,666 | $63,560 | 608 |
| 3 | Radio, Television & Digital Media | 18,257 | $50,497 | 641 |
| 4 | Journalism | 12,280 | $56,278 | 522 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Once you've sized up Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
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Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 0 upsides and 4 concerns below are all data-sourced.
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