At the entry level, a radio jockey can earn around Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 16,000. RJs with one or two years of experience can earn between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 45,000. If one moves up to the management level, the salary can be anywhere between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 95,000 per month or even more. The pay increases according to your job profile and experience. Senior RJs make around Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh a month. However, if an RJ is able to create a niche and succeeds in popularising his/her style, the remuneration has no limit.

An RJ works for eight to ten hours a day but the schedule can go haywire anytime. There’s no strict adherence to time. A breakfast presenter starts work from 6am, come hail/storm/rain. An average day of an RJ:


5am: Yoga
6.30am: Head to the workplace
11am: Show ends. Have breakfast/brunch
12.30pm: Plan for next day’s show
1pm: Production/scripting/ preparation
1.30pm: Lunch
2pm: Do interviews
3pm: Do extra production work
4pm: Leave for home

• Creative bent of mind
• Focused approach
• One needs to be adaptable
• Sense of humour is a must
• General knowledge and awareness
• Confidence and positive attitude

• Low investments but high returns
• Fame and praise guaranteed
• Great scope for progress and growth
• Not paid as much as TV artists
• Less time for family and friends

There is no specific academic path to become an RJ but graduation is mandatory. A diploma or a postgraduation degree in mass communication can be an add-on. Also, several courses are available which can help you pick up the skills, get better understanding of the profession and its technicalities. Qualifications may be useful but skills and passion count for more in this profession.

• Radio City School of Broadcasting, Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
• Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai
• Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi