Life as a DJ

[listen2theradio]

Hi, I am a female and I am interested in the radio broadcasting career...... so here is my question, if most DJs are only on the air for 4 hours a day, what do they do with the rest of the time? Do they just work as a DJ part time or what?

Also, how come some DJs work for 4 hours and some 6? For e.g., Oldies 103.3 have Karen Blake for 4 hours while Patrick Callahan only work for 3 hours....... is it worth it to just come in for 3 hours?

I also heard that the pay for DJs is notoriously low (<$20 in some market according to DOL).

Please enlighten me!

 

[greg11]

Most shifts seem to be for 4 or 5 hours. A 3 hour shift is not as common. The pay is probably based on experience and some name recognition. Dan Justin does a 5 hour shift on Magic and so does Nancy Quill.

 

[mistermicrophone]

Most shifts seem to be for 4 or 5 hours. A 3 hour shift is not as common. The pay is probably based on experience and some name recognition. Dan Justin does a 5 hour shift on Magic and so does Nancy Quill.

Pay also depends on market size. Unless you get lucky and score your first full-time gig on a major market station, you are looking at slave wages...lol. But, the reward can be great once you hit the large/major markets. Hey...it beats REAL work

 

[Neanderpaul]

In today's radio world, most "DJs" do several jobs to justify their salaries. Some pull double duty as Promotions Directors, or Production Directors. Some are station webmasters. Some are Music Directors. It's rare in all but the biggest markets, and sometimes not even there, when a jock only comes in and does their "4 and out the door"

Shift length also varies by daypart. Most overnights, if they're even staffed live, are 5-6 hours. Some PM Drives are 4. Some 5. Usually, the more non musical content the shift, the shorter it is. 3 Hour shifts tend to be mostly either middays bridging two high profile drivetime shows, or talk based.

Pay varies greatly. Usually a station offers 20% less than they're budgeted to pay. However, some stations have grandfathered union scale gigs and pay 20-30k Part Time.

Good Luck...Welcome to hell!

 

[Yeziknoradio]

In today's radio world, most "DJs" do several jobs to justify their salaries. Some pull double duty as Promotions Directors, or Production Directors. Some are station webmasters. Some are Music Directors. It's rare in all but the biggest markets, and sometimes not even there, when a jock only comes in and does their "4 and out the door"

Shift length also varies by daypart. Most overnights, if they're even staffed live, are 5-6 hours. Some PM Drives are 4. Some 5. Usually, the more non musical content the shift, the shorter it is. 3 Hour shifts tend to be mostly either middays bridging two high profile drivetime shows, or talk based.

Pay varies greatly. Usually a station offers 20% less than they're budgeted to pay. However, some stations have grandfathered union scale gigs and pay 20-30k Part Time.

Good Luck...Welcome to hell!

I think there may even be some sales people doing voice tracks at some stations...

 

[faderraider]

And some pump gas.......

 

[Garrett]

I also heard that the pay for DJs is notoriously low (<$20 in some market according to DOL).

Please enlighten me!

More like $6 or $7, unless your John Lander, or Magic Matt. But those guys aren't DJ's, because I don't believe they run their own boards. They're more like anchor people without cameras, imo.

 

[cARLOS Blake]

Mitch Albom on WJR in Detroit's only on the air 2 hours...& no, it's not worth it getting into radio unless you're a salesperson or unless you have a rich husband or unless you're an engineer ClearChannel just canned looking for work. Taco Bell's your best bet if you want the income of a "D.J".

 

[Lucylu]

You've come to the wrong place looking for encouragement. Lot of disgruntled former DJ around here. (is it possible to be gruntled?) If it is something you truely love; do it. Just know the days of getting rich doing it are long over.

 

[Varulven]

You can get big bucks if you do something notorious. Try getting a small transmitter and broadcasting on 104.1 or 107.3 FM, be as obnoxious as possible. When the FCC and the police try to break into your basement to stop your broadcasts be highly creative.

 

[Garrett]

You can get big bucks if you do something notorious. Try getting a small transmitter and broadcasting on 104.1 or 107.3 FM, be as obnoxious as possible. When the FCC and the police try to break into your basement to stop your broadcasts be highly creative.

Actually, I know of a few people who landed jobs in commerical radio after starting their own little community pirates. So, all sarcasim aside, it may not be such a bad idea (but I don't condone it

 

[Neggy]

my best career advice to you, would be to make sure you get an education and a degree that you can support you after you either get tired of radio, or they get tired of you. If you think you are going to do radio for the rest of your life, or make a fortune at it so that you can retire in comfort... forget it.

Don't expect to make any real money. Not for a while anyway. You may end up in some little station in east oshkosh where you will have to sell your own ad time to get paid. The only real money to be made in radio is in sales, and it is not an easy job.

Good luck and don't quit you day job.

 

[Nick Gerard]

Dear listen2,

If you're drawn to working in radio, by all means pursue it! All careers have their challenges and radio is no different.

Regarding one's workday: it's been my experience that in small and medium sized markets, employees have other responsibilities beyond the 3, 4, or 5 hour airshift. Often this is commercial production, music scheduling or other day-to-day tasks.

In large markets, though, music hosts often work only an airshift and that's it - even if it's just 4 or 5 hours. Promotional activity such as public appearances are usually expected (sometimes compensated, sometimes not). The Production Director might ask you to voice a spot or 2, but then he/she will mix and edit the spot.

When I landed my first position in a large market I was kind of at loose ends, because I'd worked 8 - 10 hour days for all the years before. I was used to being up to my elbows in radio. Being responsible for nothing but the airshift was a surprise - and not entirely a good one, because I really loved doing most of the other stuff!

One more thing regarding large markets: just because you're working in a big one (top 10) doesn't mean you've hit the jackpot. Yes, there are some people in those markets into 6 or even 7 figures. The great majority of full-time air personalities in those markets, however, are making a reasonable living wage, but are by no means getting rich.

You must also consider the higher cost of living in large markets. (Like here in Los Angeles, where a dumpy 2 bedroom bungalow in a run-down neighborhood will set you back $500,000).

Those are my observations after doing this for 35 years. Even though it's a roller coaster and I have a "love-hate" relationship with radio, I must say that despite the challenges, my relationship with it leans heavily to the "love " side!

Don't be brought down by the cynicism which is so often expressed on these message boards. If you are drawn to radio and find that you really love it, as many of us do, then go for it! Follow your passion!

Nick Seneca

 

[SheaTheDJ]

Most of the posters here are correct when they say that just being an on-air DJ will probably not pay the bills but if get into a smaller market station that's looking for a full time music, program or production director, there's a good chance you'll be asked to be on the air either as fill-in or full-time. The pay isn't that bad, but the hours might be.

WATD in Marshfield has a few weekday mornings open from 2-5am for those interested in going into radio. It's unpaid but you get to program your own show with whatever you want (as long as it somewhat fits the format) and build up your airchecks.

Good Luck!

 

[devilbat88]

Shea has really fully communicated the state of radio in 2007. To the young woman who has expressed an interest in radio: Sit down and write out all the things that you like/enjoy/are curious about. Hopefully the actual aspects that you might think are radio-oriented can be found elsewhere. For example, maybe music is the love of your life, or entertaining people. Try writing comedy, or prose. Many folks who surf through here are jaded about a business they have watched become a corporate cesspool. But behind their cynicism is common sense. Self-respecting young people ought pursue other avenues, not because "radio sucks", but because radio is irrelevant. Americans under 30 are just not into it, they have taken their time and money elsewhere. The managers and owners have determined loudly and clearly that the product and those who present it are on the low end of the totem pole. Knowing that, why would one willingly enter the field? Those of us still involved have bills to pay and mouths to feed, but we are unanimous when it comes to the satisfaction level in a line of work we were so passionate about. All of the conditions that lured men and women to the job throughout the last 70 years have changed. Until it swings back, (and it will, just don't hold your breath) one is far better off going where they are respected. Who of the top decision-makers in this area made their name as a dj? All of them failed at it, or never attempted it. Young lady, if weather interests you, look into meterology and study hard. If it is news, look to television, with still-thriving new cable opportunities all the time. Your computer is bursting with potential, and loves and appreciates creativity - it is up to you to find a career in there. If it is music truly, then mine the extensive menu of quality in Boston to the far left of the dial. Although the on-air folks are not smooth, they are the only ones on your radio who are playing songs for the joy of just doing it - they get the thrill the others once did. Go out every night and take in all the great bands and orchestras and single artists who perform in this amazing region regularly. Or pick up a guitar and play. If after soul searching you still believe that you want to get involved, contact a college radio station, and offer to fill-in when students go on Spring Break - or even better, build your own shows with GarageBand, or start a new club night all your own as a live dj. Either way, respect yourself enough to not get fooled into thinking that your time is a fair exchange for today's radio industry, because it isn't. There's just so much else out there.

 

[nhradio101]

Don't ask those who post out here. Most of them are angry ex-jocks who got canned years ago or pure wanna-bees. Wanna know the truth? E-mail your favorite EMLPOYED jock and inquire.

 

[listen2theradio]

Hello, thank you for your replies.... I guess you really have to love radio to get into it!

I also would like to nail down on the exact salary of a DJ in the Boston area. How much does Karen Blake make VS someone like Michael Burns who works overnight VS a relatively new DJ who works on weekends?

My day time job as a pharmacist pays a very low 6 figures and I would like to know if weekend shifts are comparable to my current pay?

So what I still don't get is why is it that in big markets DJs are paid more and work less? Whereas DJs in small markets are paid way less with tons of things to do?

I have e-mailed two DJs from Oldies 103.3 with no response! I guess they were busy after their 4-5 hours of airshift!

 

[easyfm]

Try http://danoday.com/dj.shtml

 

[Erie_Lackawanna]

Hello, thank you for your replies.... I guess you really have to love radio to get into it!

I also would like to nail down on the exact salary of a DJ in the Boston area. How much does Karen Blake make VS someone like Michael Burns who works overnight VS a relatively new DJ who works on weekends?

My day time job as a pharmacist pays a very low 6 figures and I would like to know if weekend shifts are comparable to my current pay?

So what I still don't get is why is it that in big markets DJs are paid more and work less? Whereas DJs in small markets are paid way less with tons of things to do?

I have e-mailed two DJs from Oldies 103.3 with no response! I guess they were busy after their 4-5 hours of airshift!

some full time salaries are based upon union (AFTRA) contracts, and even those, nowadays, have two-tier wage levels, so comparing salaries is not always a fair benchmark. michael burns has been doing what he's doing for many years, but his is a non-union station that may or may not occasionally offer salary bumps based upon performance and cost-of-living stuff.

the average full-timer in Boston is probably +/- $60k per year (lows 30-40k, high 75-80k) with a few notable exceptions in the low six-figure range (morning hosts)

if you are making low six-figures, you are making more than 95% of the people working on the air in Boston right now. weekend shifts, if they're live, might pay maybe $20 an hour (Greater Media). if they're not live shifts, you'll get, um, $20 cuz it takes about an hour to do a five-hour show for voice-tracking (automation)

don't, as they say, give up the day job.

 

[and.u.r?]

Also bear in mind these figures are frequently for people who have a lot of radio experience.Compare that to those in other professions and what they make after five years.