Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
Machines can already do 42% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 42% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 21,240 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $47,340 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Anchor, Announcer, DJ (Disc Jockey), Host.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate control consoles | 14% | 40% to 80% | |
| Announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from listening audience | 13% | 35% to 58% | |
| Study background information to prepare for programs or interviews | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Prepare and deliver news, sports, or weather reports, gathering and rewriting material so that it will convey required information and fit specific time slots | 7% | 38% to 62% | |
| Record commercials for later broadcast | 7% | 20% to 40% | |
| Identify stations, and introduce or close shows, ad-libbing or using memorized or read scripts | 6% | 35% to 58% | |
| Select program content, in conjunction with producers and assistants, based on factors such as program specialties, audience tastes, or requests from the public | 6% | 84% to 97% | |
| Comment on music and other matters, such as weather or traffic conditions | 6% | 35% to 58% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys?
Machines can do 42% of the tasks of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-3011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/broadcast-announcers-and-radio-disc-jockeys/