Career Explorer Arts, media and sport
Changing shape
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.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 8% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by -7.6% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on creative vision.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $47,340
- Job growth to 2035
- -7.6%
- Openings a year
- 2,000
- People doing it (2025)
- 21,800
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Provide information or assistance to the public
- Gather information for news stories
- Edit written materials or documents
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Coordinate group, community, or public activities
- Operate audiovisual or related equipment
- Present arts or entertainment performances
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as demand for announcers and on-air talent decreases as radio stations consolidate locations or opt for a DJ-free format. Increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated voice technology is expected to further reduce the need for announcers and DJs.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Commercial and industrial designersChanging shape, Index 32, +2.4%
- Industrial engineersGrows with AI, Index 39, +12.4%
- Producers and directorsGrows with AI, Index 35, +4.0%
- Computer occupations, all otherGrows with AI, Index 14, +5.1%
Also known as: Anchor, Announcer, DJ (Disc Jockey), On-Air Personality, Host, Morning Show Host, On-Air Host, Radio Announcer.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.