Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-3011
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Record commercials for later broadcast.
• Keep daily program logs to provide information on all elements aired during broadcast, such as musical selections and station promotions.
• Develop story lines for broadcasts.
• Select program content, in conjunction with producers and assistants, based on factors such as program specialties, audience tastes, or requests from the public.
• Write and edit video and scripts for broadcasts.
• Interview show guests about their lives, their work, or topics of current interest.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Zoom, Adobe Audition, Audio control consoles, Audio playback equipment, Audion Laboratories VoxPro, Avid Technology Pro Tools

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
• Producers and Directors
• Media Programming Directors
• Media Technical Directors/Managers
• Film and Video Editors
• Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
• Editors
• Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.