Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey Salary
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys earn a median $47,340 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -7.6% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,000
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys is projected to shrink 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,501
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,935
- Medicare (1.45%)$686
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,218
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,190 | $13.55 | $24,824 |
| 25th percentile | $35,360 | $17.00 | $30,592 |
| Median (50th) | $47,340 | $22.76 | $40,218 |
| 75th percentile | $75,480 | $36.29 | $61,930 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,440 | $66.56 | $105,890 |
Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $81,310 | +13.6% | $62,238 | $35,300 – $239,200+ | 1,460 |
| Maryland | $74,480 | +3.3% | $58,053 | $37,350 – $159,470 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $70,800 | +22.0% | $56,274 | $40,390 – $239,200+ | 190 |
| Indiana | $61,760 | +0.7% | $50,012 | $28,360 – $107,210 | 1,040 |
| Nevada | $60,460 | +5.2% | $50,760 | $33,280 – $239,200+ | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $60,200 | +3.2% | $47,761 | $36,260 – $213,970 | 280 |
| Florida | $56,360 | +20.5% | $47,465 | $28,370 – $161,210 | 990 |
| Rhode Island | $55,110 | +8.8% | $45,011 | $31,200 – $131,790 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,080 | +10.1% | $42,427 | $26,370 – $109,110 | 830 |
| Hawaii | $51,030 | +11.3% | $40,824 | $35,390 – $166,400 | 140 |
| Colorado | $50,660 | −14.9% | $41,365 | $32,410 – $180,930 | 310 |
| Texas | $49,050 | +13.7% | $41,592 | $22,990 – $157,830 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $48,290 | +17.8% | $40,981 | $30,160 – $103,960 | 970 |
| Arizona | $47,930 | +23.4% | $39,702 | $32,630 – $202,370 | 410 |
| North Carolina | $47,910 | +22.0% | $39,273 | $22,540 – $176,730 | 830 |
| Idaho | $46,940 | −1.2% | $38,517 | $31,150 – $99,510 | 50 |
| Illinois | $46,720 | +10.6% | $37,552 | $31,200 – $82,720 | 770 |
| Michigan | $46,640 | +2.5% | $37,924 | $25,960 – $130,350 | 650 |
| Oregon | $46,190 | +8.9% | $36,082 | $33,240 – $72,810 | 240 |
| Utah | $46,080 | −6.1% | $38,098 | $32,810 – $147,430 | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $46,000 | +0.6% | $39,141 | $34,560 – $75,880 | 70 |
| Missouri | $45,460 | +15.7% | $37,508 | $29,120 – $102,480 | 470 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 | +5.1% | $37,185 | $28,440 – $73,990 | 280 |
| Alaska | $44,790 | −11.9% | $38,169 | $34,040 – $78,080 | 80 |
| Washington | $44,420 | +4.8% | $37,871 | $38,750 – $102,910 | 620 |
| Virginia | $44,400 | −4.1% | $36,117 | $27,000 – $94,130 | 460 |
| Maine | $44,000 | +13.3% | $35,746 | $30,470 – $62,090 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $43,530 | +0.6% | $35,646 | $28,360 – $75,730 | 750 |
| Ohio | $42,440 | +21.2% | $35,896 | $24,040 – $87,830 | 910 |
| Georgia | $42,020 | +19.7% | $34,385 | $24,700 – $102,380 | 490 |
| South Dakota | $40,630 | −6.6% | $34,826 | $28,580 – $53,940 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $40,630 | +0.3% | $33,820 | $28,090 – $104,600 | 580 |
| New Mexico | $38,940 | +1.1% | $32,761 | $25,820 – $68,250 | 190 |
| Alabama | $38,530 | +4.0% | $31,477 | $21,170 – $76,230 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $38,500 | −14.4% | $33,115 | $28,350 – $65,300 | 180 |
| Iowa | $37,090 | +21.6% | $31,224 | $20,800 – $59,970 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $36,760 | +0.2% | $31,717 | $29,190 – $56,130 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $36,170 | +22.9% | $30,094 | $22,160 – $102,420 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $36,160 | +24.2% | $30,037 | $24,680 – $45,540 | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $36,110 | +3.9% | $30,115 | $22,960 – $80,180 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $35,400 | +1.0% | $29,678 | $21,750 – $46,520 | 130 |
| Vermont | $35,220 | −0.6% | $29,733 | $30,820 – $58,620 | 110 |
| Kansas | $35,130 | −4.2% | $29,244 | $16,650 – $57,900 | 440 |
| Montana | $35,000 | −1.0% | $29,414 | $29,370 – $55,290 | 130 |
| Mississippi | $34,040 | +3.5% | $28,902 | $17,820 – $163,530 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $33,020 | +19.6% | $28,107 | $18,920 – $73,400 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $30,960 | +3.6% | $26,356 | $18,960 – $93,420 | 150 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpreter and Translator | $60,170 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 | Bachelor's degree | -5.9% |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $72,420 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -0.1% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $73,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Editor | $77,920 | Bachelor's degree | -1.1% |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 | Bachelor's degree | +0.8% |
| Coach and Scout | $47,320 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a broadcast announcer and radio disc jockey make?
The national median salary for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys is $47,340 a year ($22.76 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,190 and the top 10% earn over $138,440. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $81,310.
How many broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys are there in the U.S.?
About 21,240 people work as broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys nationwide.