Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys
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.
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $45,680 in the US and is projected to decline by 6% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness.
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Communications and Media
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
A day in the life
You arrive at the studio an hour before your morning show to read the day's news, check the weather and prepare notes for an interview with a local artist. Once you are on air you work the control desk, introducing songs, reading short news updates and handing over to adverts at exactly the right moment. Between songs you read listener messages and take requests, chatting naturally so the show feels friendly and alive. Mid-show you interview your guest, keeping the conversation lively and on time. After the show you record a few commercials and public announcements for later broadcast. Then you update the programme log, noting every song and promotion that aired. In the afternoon you research topics and plan tomorrow's show with the producer. The early starts and pressure of live mistakes are real, but knowing so many listeners start their day with your voice is a thrill.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Read news flashes to inform audiences of important events.
- Announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from listening audience.
- Operate control consoles.
- Identify stations, and introduce or close shows, ad-libbing or using memorized or read scripts.
- Study background information to prepare for programs or interviews.
- Prepare and deliver news, sports, or weather reports, gathering and rewriting material so that it will convey required information and fit specific time slots.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys do?
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.
What does a typical day look like in Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
You arrive at the studio an hour before your morning show to read the day's news, check the weather and prepare notes for an interview with a local artist. Once you are on air you work the control desk, introducing songs, reading short news updates and handing over to adverts at exactly the right moment. Between songs you read listener messages and take requests, chatting naturally so the show feels friendly and alive.
How much does Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys earn?
The median annual salary for Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys in the US is $45,680.
What is the job outlook for Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
The role is projected to decline by 6% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 24,100 workers.
How do I become broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
Our AI-durability model gives Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.