Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
Also called: DJ (Disk Jockey), MC (Master of Ceremonies), Mobile Disc Jockey (Mobile DJ), Wedding Disc Jockey (Wedding DJ)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).
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 11 of its 19 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 3.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 7.0% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 11.1 hires for every 10 job openings in arts, entertainment, and recreation, which employs about 65% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.11.1 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $22.15 an hour | $19.80 to $22.15 an hour | 80 |
| California | not published | not published | 2,190 |
| Colorado | $20.91 an hour | $16.41 to $30.50 an hour | 60 |
| Florida | $16.40 an hour | $15.52 to $27.48 an hour | not published |
| Georgia | $20.69 an hour | $17.07 to $29.25 an hour | 140 |
| Hawaii | $54.55 an hour | $28.65 to $68.18 an hour | 70 |
| Idaho | $22.33 an hour | $18.00 to $24.07 an hour | 100 |
| Illinois | $22.87 an hour | $17.44 to $34.87 an hour | not published |
| Iowa | not published | not published | 130 |
| Massachusetts | not published | not published | 150 |
| Michigan | not published | not published | 360 |
| Missouri | $15.83 an hour | $14.13 to $20.96 an hour | 360 |
| Nebraska | not published | not published | 80 |
| Nevada | $12.00 an hour | $12.00 to $47.59 an hour | not published |
| New Jersey | not published | not published | 220 |
| New York | $25.51 an hour | $21.26 to $31.90 an hour | 450 |
| North Carolina | $26.30 an hour | $13.42 to $35.00 an hour | 100 |
| Ohio | not published | not published | 190 |
| Oregon | $15.55 an hour | $15.00 to $15.85 an hour | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | not published | not published | 100 |
| South Dakota | $27.27 an hour | $20.00 to $28.83 an hour | 50 |
| Tennessee | $21.75 an hour | $20.53 to $22.79 an hour | not published |
| Texas | $18.06 an hour | $12.64 to $23.25 an hour | 820 |
| Washington | $22.79 an hour | $18.27 to $38.16 an hour | not published |
| Wisconsin | $27.69 an hour | $15.52 to $50.00 an hour | 360 |
Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 11 of its 19 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Operate disc jockey controller and other equipment, such as microphones. | Not published |
| AI + software | Communicate with clients or venue owners to determine event information, such as music preferences, scheduling, and anticipated attendance. | Not published |
| Not much | Adhere to schedules to keep events running on time. | Not published |
| Not much | Collect payments from customers. | Not published |
| AI alone | Develop written contracts for bookings. | Not published |
| Not much | Assemble audio and video equipment. | Not published |
See all 19 tasks
| AI + software | Select and play music incorporating crowd preferences and mood. | Not published |
| Not much | Conduct sound checks to ensure equipment is working and appropriate for the venue. | Not published |
| AI + software | Create tailored playlists by aligning music with event functions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Listen to music before playing at events to ensure recordings are appropriate and meet quality standards. | Not published |
| AI + software | Organize music libraries or playlists. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain up-to-date knowledge of music releases and trends. | Not published |
| AI + software | Create itemized invoices to record amounts due for services rendered. | Not published |
| Not much | Encourage guests to dance using group dances, competitions, or other party games. | Not published |
| AI + software | Mix, cut, or sample recorded music using DJ controllers, CDJs, or DJ mixers. | Not published |
| AI alone | Accept music requests from event guests. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Advertise services using media such as internet advertising and brochures. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Lead party games, such as dance-offs or prize giveaways. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate visual effects equipment, such as lights, fog machines, or lasers. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 2 of the 19 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 19 tasks fall under 16 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #3 Respond to customer problems or inquiries
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
- and 1 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Conduct amusement or gaming activities | |||
| Operate audiovisual or related equipment | |||
| Respond to customer problems or inquiries | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Study details of artistic productions | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Promote products, services, or programs |
Show all 16 activities
| Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits | |||
| Test performance of equipment or systems | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Assemble equipment or components | |||
| Alter audio or video recordings | |||
| Maintain sales or financial records | |||
| Collect fares or payments |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A game or something interactive25%
- A document or report13%
- An explanation or answer7%
- Marketing or social media content6%
- Advice or a recommendation6%
How they worked with Claude
29% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for disc jockeys, except radio specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 595 moves out
- 1 First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand 15%
- 2 Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary High -0.3% 9%
- 3 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 4%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 532 moves in
- 1 First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand 25%
- 2 Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary High -0.3% 5%
- 3 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 4%
- 4 Food Service Managers Moderate +5.8% 4%
- 5 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 3%
The resume data uses 2010 occupation codes. This occupation comes from “Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other”, which today also includes the occupation still called “Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other”, so these figures cover it too. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 10% less than high school
- 24% high school
- 26% some college
- 11% associate's
- 24% bachelor's
- 4% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 175 people surveyed.
3 programs: Recording Arts Technology/Technician, Audio Engineering Technology/Technician and Music Technology.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 1 registered apprenticeship in this occupation (Disk Jockeys, Except Radio). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Disc Jockeys, Except Radio” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/27-2091.00