Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

SOC Code: 27-3011
Also known as:
Anchor, Announcer, Broadcaster, Commercial Announcer, DJ (Disc Jockey)
Median Annual Salary
$45,680
-5.5% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
24K
Current Jobs

What 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.

💰 Salary

$45,680
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-5.5%
Decline

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

2K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

24,100

Projected Employment (2034)

22,800

Related Careers

Producers and directors

$83,480 • +4.9% growth
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News analysts, reporters, and journalists

$60,280 • -3.9% growth
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Film and video editors

$70,980 • +4.0% growth
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Top Skills Required

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

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

Technology & Tools

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

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys:

Speech Communication and Rhetoric

32,944 degrees awarded • 744 colleges offer this program
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Communication, General

11,299 degrees awarded • 366 colleges offer this program
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Radio and Television

5,653 degrees awarded • 167 colleges offer this program
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Sports Communication

1,202 degrees awarded • 80 colleges offer this program
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Broadcast Journalism

757 degrees awarded • 54 colleges offer this program
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Best Colleges for Becoming a Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 270 A+
2 University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 649 A
3 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 531 A
4 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 277 A
5 Boston University Boston, MA 264 A
6 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 262 A
7 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA 252 A
8 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 198 A
9 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 162 A
10 University of Georgia Athens, GA 150 A
11 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 648 B+
12 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 467 B+
13 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 442 B+
14 San Diego State University San Diego, CA 407 B+
15 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 370 B+
16 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 356 B+
17 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 331 B+
18 University of California-Davis Davis, CA 301 B+
19 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 296 B+
20 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 295 B+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys make?
The median annual salary for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys is $45,680.
What education do broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys need?
Most broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Communication, General, Radio and Television.
Is becoming broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys a good career choice?
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys is projected to see -5.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 2,300 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
Top colleges for aspiring broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys include University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Santa Barbara, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California, Boston University. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys may also be known as: Anchor, Announcer, Broadcaster, Commercial Announcer, DJ (Disc Jockey), Entertainer, Game Show Host, Host, Hostess, Morning News Anchor, Morning Show Host, News Anchor, News Broadcaster, Newscaster, On-Air Announcer, On-Air Host, On-Air Personality, On-Air Talent, Play-by-Play Commentator, Podcaster. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.