Prevailing Wage for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Prevailing wage for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio is set annually by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. The floor is divided into four experience-based levels, and the amount varies significantly by city. Knowing which level applies to your offer is the first step in evaluating any sponsored position.

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Level 1Entry
National median
$27K
$13.14/hr

Level 1 covers entry-level DJs with limited professional experience, typically working under direct supervision at basic events. Workers at this level perform routine mixing and playback tasks with minimal independent programming or emcee responsibilities.

Level 2Qualified
National median
$48K
$22.93/hr

Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. It applies to DJs with moderate experience who independently manage playlists, read crowds, and handle standard events such as club nights or receptions without close supervision.

Level 3Experienced
National median
$69K
$33.15/hr

Level 3 covers experienced DJs who regularly handle complex or high-profile events, demonstrate advanced technical skills such as live sampling, and may train or coordinate junior performers. Some supervisory or production responsibilities are typical at this level.

Level 4Fully Competent
National median
$89K
$42.98/hr

Level 4 applies to fully competent professionals with deep expertise, often overseeing multiple events or acts, setting artistic direction, or functioning as a lead performer or resident DJ at a major venue. Significant independent judgment is expected.

Prevailing Wage for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio by OES area

Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.

Loading map…
$16K/yr$81K/yr

What’s an OES area?

The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.

Top 10 cities · Level 1

1
Washington, DC
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro
$50K$23.90/hr
2
Nashville, TN
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro
$48K$22.86/hr
3
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro
$45K$21.80/hr
4
Madison, WI
Madison, WI metro
$43K$20.68/hr
5
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay, WI metro
$41K$19.89/hr
6
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro
$41K$19.71/hr
7
New York, NY
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro
$39K$18.67/hr
8
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro
$36K$17.43/hr
9
Denver, CO
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro
$33K$16.06/hr
10
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro
$32K$15.24/hr

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Prevailing Wage Guide for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Confirm your event type matches your level

Club residencies, wedding receptions, and festival bookings often correspond to different wage levels. An employer filing at Level 1 for a resident DJ role at a high-volume venue may be misfiling. Verify the level reflects your actual scope of independence and event complexity.

Watch for low-wage metros in DJ contracts

Some markets, including Las Vegas and Houston, report significantly lower prevailing wages for this occupation than the national median. If your worksite is listed on the LCA as one of these metros, the floor can be well below what comparable cities require.

Separate performance fees from the base wage

Tips, door splits, and one-time appearance fees generally cannot be counted toward the prevailing wage requirement for a sponsored position. Only guaranteed, recurring compensation counts. Confirm your offered base salary clears the floor before evaluating any variable earnings.

Find employers who have sponsored DJs before

On Migrate Mate, you can filter by occupation and see which employers have a verified history of sponsoring Disc Jockeys, Except Radio. That narrows your search to venues and entertainment companies that have already navigated the LCA and visa process for this role.

Jobs for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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Prevailing Wage by Reported Job Title

DOL classifies these titles under SOC 27-2091.00 alongside Disc Jockeys, Except Radio, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.

Announcer Prevailing Wage

Announcer positions fall under SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Club Disc Jockey (Club DJ) Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a Club Disc Jockey (Club DJ) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Deejay (DJ) Prevailing Wage

Deejay (DJ) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Disc Jockey (DJ) Prevailing Wage

Disc Jockey (DJ) positions fall under SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

DJ (Disk Jockey) Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a DJ (Disk Jockey) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

DJ Assistant (Disc Jockey Assistant) Prevailing Wage

DJ Assistant (Disc Jockey Assistant) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Emcee Prevailing Wage

Emcee positions fall under SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Entertainer Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a Entertainer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Event Disc Jockey (Event DJ) Prevailing Wage

Event Disc Jockey (Event DJ) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Event Entertainer Prevailing Wage

Event Entertainer positions fall under SOC 27-2091.00 (Disc Jockeys, Except Radio). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.

Level 1
Entry
$27K
$13.14/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$48K
$22.93/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$69K
$33.15/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$89K
$42.98/hr

Frequently Asked Questions

How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio?

DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys. For this occupation, wages are set under SOC 27-2091 and updated annually. Employers filing an LCA must pay at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location, as certified through OFLC.

What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?

The four levels reflect increasing experience and autonomy. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is independent work on routine engagements; Level 3 involves complex events or some supervisory duties; Level 4 covers lead or senior performers with broad discretion. Your level should match the actual duties and independence described in your job offer, not just your years of experience.

Why does the prevailing wage for the same DJ role differ so much by city?

DOL uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so wages reflect local employer pay practices. Dense entertainment markets with higher costs of living, such as Washington DC or New York, produce higher survey results than markets like Las Vegas or San Antonio. The LCA must list the actual worksite, so the controlling wage is always the city where the work is performed, not where the employer is headquartered.

What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?

OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage floor. Without a certified LCA, a visa petition cannot be filed. If an employer has already filed and is paying below the required wage, they may face back-wage liability and debarment from future LCA filings. USCIS also reviews wage compliance during petition adjudication.

How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?

Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up current wage levels for Disc Jockeys, Except Radio by metropolitan area. Enter SOC code 27-2091 and select your worksite metro to see the applicable floor at each of the four levels. You can also search public LCA disclosure data through OFLC to see what wages employers have recently certified for this occupation in that area. On Migrate Mate, you can filter open sponsored listings by location to compare what employers are actively offering.

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