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Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
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.
Other titles employers use
Anchor · Announcer · DJ (Disc Jockey) · Host · Morning Show Host · On-Air Host · On-Air Personality · Radio Announcer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, persuading and helping work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Communications and Media
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 35%
- A certificate or some college 30%
- High school or less 27%
- A master's degree 5%
- A two-year degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Video conferencing software
- Music or sound editing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,900
- Job openings each year
- 300
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,900 | 300 | 7.4% |
| New York | 2,800 | 0 | −2.8% |
| Florida | 1,350 | 140 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 1,300 | 130 | −3.7% |
| Tennessee | 1,090 | 120 | 13.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,080 | 110 | — |
| Illinois | 1,060 | 100 | −7.0% |
| North Carolina | 790 | 80 | −10.2% |
| Minnesota | 690 | 70 | −9.2% |
| Michigan | 620 | 60 | −12.7% |
| New Jersey | 620 | 70 | 6.9% |
| Ohio | 600 | 50 | −23.1% |
| Iowa | 510 | 50 | −1.9% |
| Virginia | 490 | 50 | −10.9% |
| Indiana | 480 | 50 | −12.7% |
| Georgia | 460 | 40 | −13.2% |
| Wisconsin | 450 | 50 | 9.8% |
| Kansas | 410 | 40 | −24.1% |
| Kentucky | 350 | 30 | −14.6% |
| South Carolina | 350 | 40 | 29.6% |
| Missouri | 330 | 30 | — |
| Nevada | 320 | 30 | −3.0% |
| Colorado | 300 | 20 | −33.3% |
| Washington | 250 | 20 | −3.8% |
| Arkansas | 230 | 20 | −11.5% |
| Nebraska | 220 | 20 | −12.0% |
| South Dakota | 220 | 20 | −4.3% |
| West Virginia | 210 | 20 | — |
| Maryland | 200 | 20 | −20.0% |
| Oklahoma | 200 | 20 | −9.1% |
| Idaho | 190 | 20 | −5.0% |
| New Mexico | 190 | 20 | −9.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 190 | 20 | −9.5% |
| Louisiana | 180 | 20 | −14.3% |
| Oregon | 170 | 20 | −19.0% |
| North Dakota | 160 | 20 | −20.0% |
| Montana | 150 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Utah | 150 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Mississippi | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| Maine | 110 | 10 | −15.4% |
| District of Columbia | 100 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 80 | 10 | −11.1% |
| Alaska | 70 | 10 | −12.5% |
| New Hampshire | 70 | 10 | −22.2% |
| Arizona | 60 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 50 | 10 | −28.6% |
| Wyoming | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 801
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 1,068
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college MIMichigan State University
- Degrees each year
- 908
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college CAUniversity of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 620
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college AZArizona State University Digital Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 755
- Admit rate
- 64%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Program entryOpen major
Open college NCUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Degrees each year
- 522
- Admit rate
- 19%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college CACalifornia State University-Northridge
- Degrees each year
- 793
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college AZArizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 671
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryOpen major
Open collegeCompare every college offering communication and media studies