Disc Jockeys, Except Radio salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $22.87 an hour, based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $15.24 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59.78 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $21.61. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $22.87.
Pay range for disc jockeys, except radio in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15.24 |
| 25th percentile | $16.80 |
| Median | $22.87 |
| 75th percentile | $30.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59.78 |
| Average (mean) | $33.50 |
Half of disc jockeys, except radio earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
BLS publishes only hourly pay for this job, because disc jockeys, except radio often work irregular hours or short engagements, so a yearly figure would be misleading. At $22.87 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $914.80.
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $16.84 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for disc jockeys, except radio
| State | Median hourly |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $54.55 |
| Wisconsin | $27.69 |
| South Dakota | $27.27 |
| North Carolina | $26.30 |
| New York | $25.51 |
| Illinois | $22.87 |
| Washington | $22.79 |
| Idaho | $22.33 |
| Arizona | $22.15 |
| Tennessee | $21.75 |
See Disc Jockeys, Except Radio pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.16 |
| Actor | — | $20.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $51,600 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.62 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a disc jockeys, except radio make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median hourly wage for disc jockeys, except radio in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $22.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $15.24 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59.78 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid disc jockeys, except radio make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of disc jockeys, except radio in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $59.78 an hour. The top 25% earn $30.65 or more.
What is the starting pay for disc jockeys, except radio in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15.24 an hour, and a quarter of disc jockeys, except radio earn $16.80 or less.