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DJ

Alternative titles for this job include Disc jockey, club DJ, radio DJ

DJs mix and play music for audiences in live venues, at events, on the radio and online.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • specialist training courses

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to work with sampling equipment, mixers, digital controllers and record decks. 

Courses include:

  • music technology and production
  • radio production
  • creative and digital media

Colleges and community education centres also often run short workshops in DJ-ing techniques and recording skills.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Volunteering

Getting experience will help you to develop your skills and make contacts in the industry. 

You could:

  • work on student, community or hospital radio stations
  • volunteer to DJ at events like parties, weddings and charity shows
  • work as a DJ on an internet radio station
  • find work as a roadie for an experienced DJ
  • post mixes to online video and music streaming sites to get noticed

You can also find work experience placements through BBC Taster Days, or by contacting broadcasters to ask about opportunities. The Radiocentre can help you find commercial radio stations.

Direct Application

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 to music streaming sites.

Other Routes

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.

More Information

Career tips

You can find lots of online tutorials on how to set up as a music DJ, how to use equipment like digital controllers, and on mixing and remixing techniques for different music genres.

Do your research and make sure that you target your demo mixes to match a venue's music policy, audience or type of music on a radio station's playlist.

Further information

You can get more advice about working as a DJ from:

You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • broadcasting and streaming knowledge
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a club DJ, you could:

  • play and mix music in clubs and bars
  • choose music to suit your audience's taste and the venue's music policy
  • control lighting and visual effects to match your playlist
  • create your own loops, manipulate beats, and add samples and sound effects
  • work with an MC who raps or sings over the music
  • stream your live set or record it for posting online

As a radio DJ or presenter, you'll present a radio programme in your own style. You could:

  • select music for your show
  • keep up an entertaining and natural flow of chat
  • interact with listeners through phone-ins, emails and social media
  • interview studio guests
  • keep to your programme's timing schedule
  • operate studio equipment to play music, pre-recorded news, jingles and adverts
  • discuss ideas with the producer for future shows, and prepare scripts and playlists

Working environment

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

As a successful club DJ, you could move into music production and recording, events promotion, work for a music label or start your own label.

As an established radio DJ, you could take on production duties, or get involved in other types of media work like TV presenting.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dj right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Music Production & Performance- Music Performance

  • Provider: HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Waterlooville

Music Production Level 3

  • Provider: SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Lichfield
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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