Broadcast meteorologist vs on-air disc jockey

The differences between broadcast meteorologists and on-air disc jockeys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a broadcast meteorologist and an on-air disc jockey. Additionally, a broadcast meteorologist has an average salary of $57,285, which is higher than the $45,326 average annual salary of an on-air disc jockey.

The top three skills for a broadcast meteorologist include WSI, severe weather situations and public appearances. The most important skills for an on-air disc jockey are radio commercials, radio station, and FCC.

Broadcast meteorologist vs on-air disc jockey overview

	Broadcast Meteorologist	On-Air Disc Jockey
Yearly salary	$57,285	$45,326
Hourly rate	$27.54	$21.79
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	4,767	3,451
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 89%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	4	4

Broadcast meteorologist vs on-air disc jockey salary

Broadcast meteorologists and on-air disc jockeys have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Broadcast Meteorologist	On-Air Disc Jockey
Average salary	$57,285	$45,326
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $106,000	Between $23,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between broadcast meteorologist and on-air disc jockey education

There are a few differences between a broadcast meteorologist and an on-air disc jockey in terms of educational background:

	Broadcast Meteorologist	On-Air Disc Jockey
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 89%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Meteorology	Communication
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Northwestern University

Broadcast meteorologist vs on-air disc jockey demographics

Here are the differences between broadcast meteorologists' and on-air disc jockeys' demographics:

	Broadcast Meteorologist	On-Air Disc Jockey
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 75.7% Female, 24.3%	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 4.5% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 4.7% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between broadcast meteorologist and on-air disc jockey duties and responsibilities

Broadcast meteorologist example responsibilities.

Create estimates, negotiate music, lead casting searches, schedule sessions with NYC and Boston post production studios.
Operate and optimize digital and analog equipment require for television broadcasting, including routing switchers, audio boards and video switchers.
Create estimates, negotiate music, lead casting searches, schedule sessions with NYC and Boston post production studios.

On-air disc jockey example responsibilities.

Manage commercial production, station remotes and appearances, blogging while being on the air mid-days.
Compile weekly reports of station playlists to submit to music journals.
Play music as dictated by upper management or create playlists around specialty formats.
Check and log power output readings for station transmitter to ensure compliance with FCC rules and regulations.
Promote concerts for local venues featuring prominent musical acts via on-air ticket giveaways and on-air interviews with the headlining acts.
Monitor and document transmitter power levels to ensure station is operating within FCC approve guidelines.

Broadcast meteorologist vs on-air disc jockey skills

Common broadcast meteorologist skills

WSI, 40%
Severe Weather Situations, 30%
Public Appearances, 30%

Common on-air disc jockey skills

Radio Commercials, 10%
Radio Station, 9%
FCC, 8%
R, 8%
Audio Equipment, 7%
Air Personality, 6%

Broadcast Meteorologist vs. similar jobs

Broadcast Meteorologist related careers

Broadcast Meteorologist related jobs

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Broadcast Meteorologist
Broadcast Meteorologist vs On-Air Disc Jockey

Updated January 8, 2025

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