Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · Holland code AEC
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
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).
Also called: DJ (Disk Jockey), MC (Master of Ceremonies), Mobile Disc Jockey (Mobile DJ), Wedding Disc Jockey (Wedding DJ).
O*NET 27-2091.00
At a glance
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Some preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Operate disc jockey controller and other equipment, such as microphones.
- Communicate with clients or venue owners to determine event information, such as music preferences, scheduling, and anticipated attendance.
- Adhere to schedules to keep events running on time.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Develop written contracts for bookings.
- Assemble audio and video equipment.
- Select and play music incorporating crowd preferences and mood.
- Conduct sound checks to ensure equipment is working and appropriate for the venue.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Speaking3.5 / 5
- Active Listening3.3 / 5
- Monitoring3.3 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.1 / 5
- Reading Comprehension3.0 / 5
- Writing2.9 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.8 / 5
- Computers and Electronics4.4 / 5
- English Language4.3 / 5
- Communications and Media3.7 / 5
- Sales and Marketing3.7 / 5
- Administration and Management3.3 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic33
- Investigative9
- Artistic64
- Social32
- Enterprising43
- Conventional42
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- sound artist · DE Tonkünstler/Tonkünstlerin · FR artiste sonore
- radio producer · DE Radioproduzent/Radioproduzentin · FR producteur radio/productrice radio
- disc jockey · DE Diskjockey · FR disc-jockey
- audio production technician · DE Tontechniker/Tontechnikerin · FR technicien de production son/technicienne de production son
- audio-visual technician · DE Fachkraft AV-Medientechnik · FR technicien audiovisuel/technicienne audiovisuel
- boom operator · DE Tonassistent/Tonassistentin · FR perchiste
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Arts officers, producers and directors (3416)113,500 employed
- Musicians (3415)54,300 employed
- Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators (3417)81,300 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Technicians and associate professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €50,992 |
| Austria | €46,986 |
| Germany | €44,473 |
| Netherlands | €42,448 |
| Ireland | €41,613 |
| Sweden | €41,155 |
| Italy | €34,882 |
| France | €34,816 |
| Spain | €29,757 |
| Portugal | €18,080 |
| Poland | €12,108 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
Related careers
Is it a fit for you?
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