Disc Jockeys, Except Radio Salary - BLS OEWS Wage Benchmarks
SOC 27-2091 · National · May 2025 OEWS Data
Median Annual Salary
$44,949
$21.61/hr
Verified BLS OEWS data · Updated May 18, 2026
Source: BLS OEWS · Published May 15, 2026
Next refresh: May 2027
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The national median salary for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio is $44,949 per year ($21.61/hr) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. The middle 50% of earners make between $35,173 and $78,000 annually. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $125,154 per year. There are approximately 7,920 disc jockeys, except radio employed in the United States.
About This Role
BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018
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). Radio disc jockeys are included in “Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys” (27-3011).
Career Outlook
BLS Employment Projections · 2024-2034
10-year growth
+3.8%
About as fast as average
Annual openings
2K
per year, on avg
Workforce today
15K
as of 2024
Why those openings exist
4% from new growth96% from people leaving the role
Most openings come from replacement, not growth. Retention matters more than recruiting here.
Typical entry requirements
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Industry Wage Breakdown
Top 5 industries by employment · median annual wage, sector-specific
Industry
Workforce
Median Pay
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
NAICS 711500
3K
N/A
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
NAICS 722400
2K
N/A
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
NAICS 713900
610
N/A
Performing Arts Companies
NAICS 711100
320
N/A
Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
NAICS 516100
150
N/A
Wage Percentiles
Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours)
Percentile
Hourly Rate
Annual Salary
P10
$13.50
$28,080
P25
$16.91
$35,173
P50MEDIAN
$21.61
$44,949
P75
$37.50
$78,000
P90
$60.17
$125,154
Market Context Signal
JOLTS · professional sector
Cooling
Openings Rate
4.2%
Quits Rate
2.0%
Professional & Business Services openings tumbled 318K in March -- the largest single-sector drop in this release. Openings rate fell from 5.5% to 4.2%. Layoffs jumped to 527K (+99K). White-collar demand has cooled abruptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average disc jockeys, except radio salary?
The national median salary for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio is $44,949 per year ($21.61/hr) according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The middle 50% earn between $35,173 and $78,000 annually.
How much do top-earning disc jockeys, except radio make?
The 90th percentile salary for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio is $125,154 per year ($60.17/hr). The 75th percentile is $78,000 per year.
What is the entry-level salary for disc jockeys, except radio?
Entry-level Disc Jockeys, Except Radio (10th percentile) earn approximately $28,080 per year ($13.50/hr). The 25th percentile is $35,173 per year.
Wage figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. OEWS surveys roughly 1.1 million establishments annually. It is the most comprehensive employer-reported wage dataset in the United States.
P10 through P90 percentiles represent the wage distribution across all surveyed employers (not self-reported by workers). Geographic adjustments use BLS-derived cost multipliers calibrated from regional wage variation.
Wages are estimates. Individual compensation depends on experience, education, employer size, industry, and negotiation. Use this as benchmark context, not absolute ground truth.
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