Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
What Disc Jockeys, Except Radio Do
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).
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- 46.9%
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 2 of 5Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience.
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Job training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
Other Software Used
- Adobe Audition
- Audion Laboratories VoxPro
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Social Orientation
- Dependability
- Optimism
- Cooperation
- Self-Confidence
- Adaptability
- Innovation
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- ArtisticMedium
- EnterprisingMedium
- ConventionalMedium
- RealisticMedium
- SocialLow
- InvestigativeLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 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.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where disc jockeys, except radio make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Fargo, ND-MN10.85× national avg
- 2Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA4.55× national avg
- 3Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI4.06× national avg
- 4St. Louis, MO-IL2.44× national avg
- 5Urban Honolulu, HI2.05× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Audio and Video TechniciansLateral Move
- Sound Engineering TechniciansLateral Move
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and AthletesLateral Move
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and RepairersLateral Move
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.
Music Technology
- Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)grads earn ~$38,617
- Los Angeles Film School (Hollywood, CA)grads earn ~$33,046
- Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL)grads earn ~$39,466
- University of North Texas (Denton, TX)grads earn ~$55,705
- Manhattan School of Music (New York, NY)grads earn ~$40,812
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
- Northern Virginia Community College (Annandale, VA)
- Columbus State Community College (Columbus, OH)
- Dallas College (Dallas, TX)grads earn ~$69,987
- DeVry University-Illinois (Lisle, IL)grads earn ~$68,934
- DeVry University-Illinois (Lisle, IL)grads earn ~$83,322
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
- Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL)grads earn ~$44,012
- SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville (Nashville, TN)grads earn ~$31,742
- Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (Tempe, AZ)grads earn ~$37,556
- Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (Orlando, FL)grads earn ~$33,711
- SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville (Nashville, TN)grads earn ~$33,379