Disc jockeys, except radio salary
Data unavailable BLS does not publish annual wage estimates for this occupation; the national median hourly wage is $21.61.
Disc jockeys, except radio pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 25 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Data unavailable | 80 | 0.49 | ||
| California | Data unavailable | 2,190 | 2.36 | ||
| Colorado | Data unavailable | 60 | 0.39 | ||
| Florida | Data unavailable | ||||
| Georgia | Data unavailable | 140 | 0.57 | ||
| Hawaii | Data unavailable | 70 | 2.22 | ||
| Idaho | Data unavailable | 100 | 2.37 | ||
| Illinois | Data unavailable | ||||
| Iowa | Data unavailable | 130 | 1.59 | ||
| Massachusetts | Data unavailable | 150 | 0.79 | ||
| Michigan | Data unavailable | 360 | 1.62 | ||
| Missouri | Data unavailable | 360 | 2.39 | ||
| Nebraska | Data unavailable | 80 | 1.54 | ||
| Nevada | Data unavailable | ||||
| New Jersey | Data unavailable | 220 | 1.02 | ||
| New York | Data unavailable | 450 | 0.91 | ||
| North Carolina | Data unavailable | 100 | 0.41 | ||
| Ohio | Data unavailable | 190 | 0.67 | ||
| Oregon | Data unavailable | 40 | 0.38 | ||
| Pennsylvania | Data unavailable | 100 | 0.33 | ||
| South Dakota | Data unavailable | 50 | 1.97 | ||
| Tennessee | Data unavailable | ||||
| Texas | Data unavailable | 820 | 1.14 | ||
| Washington | Data unavailable | ||||
| Wisconsin | Data unavailable | 360 | 2.42 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for disc jockeys, except radio
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,700. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 56.1%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for disc jockeys, except radio
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Recording Arts Technology/Technician CIP 10.0203
- Audio Engineering Technology/Technician CIP 15.0307
- Music Technology CIP 50.0913
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Operate disc jockey controller and other equipment, such as microphones.
- Communicate with clients or venue owners to determine event information, such as music preferences, scheduling, and anticipated attendance.
- Adhere to schedules to keep events running on time.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Develop written contracts for bookings.
- Assemble audio and video equipment.
- Select and play music incorporating crowd preferences and mood.
- Conduct sound checks to ensure equipment is working and appropriate for the venue.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Adobe Audition
- Audion Laboratories VoxPro
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Time Management, Coordination, Persuasion, Operation and Control.
Common job titles: DJ (Disk Jockey), MC (Master of Ceremonies), Mobile Disc Jockey (Mobile DJ), Wedding Disc Jockey (Wedding DJ).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
What education do disc jockeys, except radio need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is disc jockeys, except radio a growing career?
BLS projects employment of disc jockeys, except radio to change +3.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.