Annual Salary
variable
Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Performing arts or Games or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Performing arts or Games or go back to all job sectors
DJs play music for audiences in live venues, at events or on the radio.
Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: freelance / self-employed; managing your own hours
There will be
0.5% more DJ jobs in 2027.
As a club DJ you might:
As a radio DJ or presenter, you'll present a radio programme in your own style. You could:
You could work at events, on festival sites, at a music venue or at a recording studio.
Your working environment may be hot, noisy and you'll travel often.
You can get into this job through:
You could start by doing a college course. This will give you some of the skills needed to work with sampling equipment, mixers, digital controllers and decks. Courses include:
Colleges and community education centres also often run short workshops in DJ-ing and recording skills.
You may need:
Getting experience will help you to develop your skills and make contacts in the industry. You could:
You can also find work experience placements through the BBC Taster Days, or by contacting broadcasters to ask about opportunities. The Radiocentre can help you find commercial radio stations.
You can apply directly for work as a DJ by contacting bars, clubs and radio stations. You'll need to showcase your mixing and presenting skills, for example through your own online music channel or by posting mixes on music streaming sites.
You can take training courses or attend DJ workshops, which are offered by private music training providers that specialise in DJ skills, music technology and sound recording.
Do your research and make sure that your demo mixes fit in with a venue's music policy or the type of music on a radio station's playlist.
You can get more advice about becoming a DJ from:Community Media Association; Hospital Broadcasting Association; Radio Academy
You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
As a successful club DJ, you could move into music producing and recording, club promoting, working for a record label or starting your own label.
As an established radio DJ, you could get involved in other types of media work, like TV presenting.
You'll need: