Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Anchor
• Announcer
• DJ (Disc Jockey)
• On-Air Personality

Alternate Job Titles

• Anchor
• Announcer
• Board Operator
• Broadcaster
• Commercial Announcer
• DJ (Disc Jockey)
• Entertainer
• Game Show Host
• Host
• Hostess
• Morning News Anchor
• Morning Show Host
• News Anchor
• News Broadcaster
• Newscaster

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Communications and Media
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Telecommunications

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Speaking
2. Active Listening
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Critical Thinking
5. Social Perceptiveness

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Originality
• Written Expression
• Fluency of Ideas
• Selective Attention
• Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Social Orientation
• Self-Confidence
• Dependability
• Optimism
• Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Recognition
• Independence
• Support
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

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

Tools & Equipment

• Audio control consoles
• Audio playback equipment
• Compact disk CD players
• Desktop computers
• Digital audio recorders
• Earpieces
• Headset microphones
• Headsets
• Laptop computers
• Microphone stands
• Mixing desks
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Record turntables
• Smart phones

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Time Pressure
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$26,000
Median	$45,680
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$131,780

Workers Employed Nationally: 23,880

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.