Occupation salary profile

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

SOC 27-2091 BLS OEWS May 2025

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies). Radio disc jockeys are included in “Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys” (27-3011). Excludes “Musicians and Singers” (27-2042), “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011), and “Sound Engineering Technicians” (27-4014).

National median · BLS
$44,949
▲ +4.95% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$67,746
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
7,920
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$28,080
25th$35,173
Median (50th)$44,949
75th$78,000
90th — top pay$125,154

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

BLS projects employment of disc jockeys, except radio to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
16,900 → 17,600
+600 jobs
Projected change
+3.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,700
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
56.1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Social Perceptiveness3.8
  • Speaking3.5
  • Active Listening3.3
  • Monitoring3.3
  • Service Orientation3.3
  • Time Management3.3
  • Critical Thinking3.1
  • Coordination3.0
  • Reading Comprehension3.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making2.9
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.8
  • Computers and Electronics4.4
  • English Language4.3
  • Communications and Media3.7
  • Sales and Marketing3.7
  • Administration and Management3.3
  • Education and Training3.0
  • Administrative2.7
Software and technology used
Microsoft Office softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordAdobe AuditionAudion Laboratories VoxProAvid Technology Pro Tools

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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.

About the job

What disc jockeys, except radio do

  • 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.
Also called
DJ (Disk Jockey)MC (Master of Ceremonies)Mobile Disc Jockey (Mobile DJ)Wedding Disc Jockey (Wedding DJ)
More job titles for this occupation (10)
AnnouncerClub DJ (Club Disc Jockey)DJ (Disc Jockey)DJ Assistant (Disc Jockey Assistant)EmceeEvent DJ (Event Disc Jockey)Event EntertainerEvent MC (Event Master of Ceremonies)Host DJ (Host Disc Jockey)Karaoke Host

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.