Media and Communication Workers

How to become a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys

Official title: Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Also called: Anchor, Announcer, DJ (Disc Jockey), Host, Morning Show Host, On-Air Host, On-Air Personality, Radio Announcer, Sports Anchor, Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor)

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.

Main tasks

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.
Record commercials for later broadcast.
Keep daily program logs to provide information on all elements aired during broadcast, such as musical selections and station promotions.

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 31 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $47,340 a year The middle half earn $35,360 to $75,480.
About 21,800 people work in this job now, and about 20,200 are projected by 2035. (-7.6%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys?

How much does a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $47,340 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,360 to $75,480.

Is a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 8% by 2035, from about 21,800 to about 20,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys?

Not always. 55% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Communications & Media degrees.

Will AI change the work of a Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockeys?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.