Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

SOC: 27-3011 O*NET: 27-3011.00
Median Salary
$45,680
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

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 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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$26,000
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,280
25th percentile
Median
$45,680
50th percentile
Experienced
$72,080
75th percentile
Top Earners
$131,780
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$26,000
25th
$33,280
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,680
Mean: $80,110
75th
$72,080
90th
$131,780
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $105,780 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $33,280 and $72,080
  • Salary spread is 84.9% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 23,880 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:24,100

Top Industries

Information86.8%
Broadcasting and Content Providers85.2%
Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations60.1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-5.5%
Annual Openings:2,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)24,100
Current
2034 (Projected)22,800
-5.5%
-1,300
Employment Change
-5.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Decline

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
2,050 jobs$71,5701.39x
California
2,000 jobs$73,9300.71x
Texas
1,300 jobs$43,1300.61x
Indiana
1,040 jobs$61,3502.10x
Florida
970 jobs$46,7800.64x
Washington
950 jobs$42,4001.73x
Illinois
920 jobs$42,2400.98x
Michigan
880 jobs$45,5001.30x
Pennsylvania
860 jobs$47,2900.93x
Georgia
830 jobs$35,0901.11x
Ohio
830 jobs$35,0300.97x
Minnesota
790 jobs$43,2701.75x
Tennessee
740 jobs$41,0101.46x
North Carolina
680 jobs$39,2600.89x
Wisconsin
610 jobs$40,4901.35x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%

Skills Overview

Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Speaking

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Time Management

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

basic
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Judicial Law Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Loan Interviewers and Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property90%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
  • Time Management
  • Writing
  • Active Learning

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Zoom

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Prepare and deliver news, sports, or weather reports, gathering and rewriting material so that it will convey required information and fit specific time slots.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Read news flashes to inform audiences of important events.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Select program content, in conjunction with producers and assistants, based on factors such as program specialties, audience tastes, or requests from the public.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Study background information to prepare for programs or interviews.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform
5

Comment on music and other matters, such as weather or traffic conditions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Interview show guests about their lives, their work, or topics of current interest.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Discuss various topics over the telephone with viewers or listeners.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Host civic, charitable, or promotional events broadcast over television or radio.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Make promotional appearances at public or private events to represent their employers.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Operate control consoles.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Operations & Execution73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys professionals typically have a AES Holland code and highly value achievement

AArtistic
EEnterprising
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.82

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.78

Stress Tolerance

Critical

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.64

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.44

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.39

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.32

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Persistence
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Self-Control
3.9

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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