Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$70,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$7,500
10.5% of base
Total target cash
$77,500
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$4,50050th$7,50075th$12,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical experience: varies by employer. Entry-level roles usually require little or no prior experience; senior roles typically require 5 or more years in the occupation. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the specific entry path.
Adhere to schedules to keep events running on time.
Advertise services using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
Assemble audio and video equipment.
Collect payments from customers.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio pay by experience level
Entry level$29,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$36,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$46,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$80,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$129,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio salary by industry
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
4,630 workers
$81,500
Accommodation and Food Services
2,440 workers
$47,000
Information
190 workers
$34,500
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing$118,500
Other Services (except Public Administration)$87,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Accept music requests from event guests.
Adhere to schedules to keep events running on time.
Advertise services using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
Assemble audio and video equipment.
Collect payments from customers.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
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