What is a disc jockey and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Disc Jockeys, also known as DJs, have a pretty sweet gig going. From mixing it up on the radio, to announcing sports or news and even getting to interview guests, DJs have got it going on. Most DJs find their place with a radio or television studio, but some are self-employed. And get this, some DJs just do it for fun on the weekends. That's how awesome this career is.

If you're going to be annoucning news or sports, you're probably going to want a bachelor's degree in journalism or another related major. But for every other DJ out there, as long as you have a high school diploma and receive some on-the-job training, you should be good to go.

ScoreDisc JockeyUS Average
Salary
4.3

Avg. Salary $54,894

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.2

Growth Rate -5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.18%

Asian 5.03%

Black or African American 7.40%

Hispanic or Latino 12.72%

Unknown 4.14%

White 69.53%

Gender

female 23.54%

male 76.46%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress Level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.0

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Disc Jockey career paths

Key steps to become a disc jockey

  1. Explore disc jockey education requirements

    Most common disc jockey degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.4 %

    High School Diploma

    16.9 %

    Associate

    16.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific disc jockey skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    R10.27%
    Audio Equipment9.78%
    Video Equipment5.82%
    Corporate Events5.36%
    Private Parties5.00%
  3. Complete relevant disc jockey training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New disc jockeys learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a disc jockey based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real disc jockey resumes.
  4. Research disc jockey duties and responsibilities

    • Manage website, Spreaker, Podbean, iTunes, YouTube and other social media accounts.
    • Play music over the air (FM).
    • Used Instagram to market himself.
    • Still do weekly commentary (comedy).
  5. Prepare your disc jockey resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your disc jockey resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a disc jockey resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Disc Jockey Resume templates

    Build a professional Disc Jockey resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Disc Jockey resume.
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  6. Apply for disc jockey jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a disc jockey job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Disc Jockey Job

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Average disc jockey salary

The average Disc Jockey salary in the United States is $54,894 per year or $26 per hour. Disc jockey salaries range between $29,000 and $102,000 per year.

Average Disc Jockey Salary
$54,894 Yearly
$26.39 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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