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Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,340 Median per year · $22.76/hr Most earn $28,190–$138,440

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Provide commentary and conduct interviews during sporting events, parades, conventions, or other events.
  • Give network cues permitting selected stations to receive programs.
  • Describe or demonstrate products that viewers may purchase through specific shows or in stores.
  • Coordinate games, contests, or other on-air competitions, performing such duties as asking questions and awarding prizes.
  • Moderate panels or discussion shows on topics such as current affairs, art, or education.
  • Read news flashes to inform audiences of important events.

Job outlook

United States
8% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 2,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Radio broadcasting stations56.4%
  • Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers18.8%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools7.3%
  • Spectator sports3.8%
  • Television broadcasting stations3.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Broadcast announcing is usually an entry-level job, but most people first spend about 1 to 2 years gaining on-air or production experience, often after a certificate or apprenticeship. A high school diploma is typically the starting point.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build strong speaking, reading, and writing skills and get comfortable talking in front of people, which all matter on air.

  2. Certificate in broadcasting or media, or a station apprenticeship

    6 months to 1 year

    Learn microphone technique, audio equipment, and how a station runs, which prepares you for hands-on work at a station.

  3. Disc Jockey

    6 months to 1 year

    Play music, introduce songs, and talk with listeners, which builds the on-air experience that stations look for.

  4. Broadcast Announcer

    Reached after about 1 to 2 years of prior experience

    Read scripted news, commercials, and station identifications on radio or television, and interview guests.

Where it can lead

  1. Media Programming Director

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move from delivering content on air to deciding what a station airs, managing schedules, and leading on-air staff.

  2. Producer

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move behind the scenes to plan and organize shows, coordinate guests, and manage production, which often requires broader production skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take speech, debate, or drama classesThese build confidence speaking to an audience and help you read aloud clearly and naturally.
  • Join the school news program, announcements team, or yearbook clubReading announcements or helping with a school broadcast gives you real speaking and production experience.
  • Practice reading aloud every dayReading news articles out loud improves your pacing, pronunciation, and comfort with a microphone.
  • Enter a public speaking or debate competitionCompeting teaches you to think on your feet and speak with energy, both useful for live radio.
  • Volunteer at a local community radio station or access TV channelSeeing how a station works behind the scenes gives you a real feel for the job and a chance to ask questions.

In college

  • Take broadcasting, media production, or communications coursesThese teach on-air technique, audio editing, and how stations operate, which are core skills for announcers.
  • Work at the campus radio stationHosting shows or running the board gives you on-air hours and a track record that employers look for.
  • Find a part-time or internship job at a local radio or TV stationReal station experience counts toward the 1 to 2 years of prior work that is typical for this job.
  • Earn a certificate in broadcasting or audio production if your school offers oneA certificate can be a faster route to entry-level work than a full degree, matching the typical education for this career.
  • Build a demo reel and online portfolioA short recording of your best on-air work helps you show employers your voice and style when you apply.

Tips for getting started

  • Get on-air practice early: record yourself reading news and ads, then listen back and work on clear pacing and pronunciation.
  • Look for volunteer or part-time work at a community, campus, or local radio station, since that experience is what stations often ask for.
  • Build a short demo reel of your best recordings so you can show employers what you sound like on air.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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