Alternate Career Titles: Career Overview: A Radio DJ plays music on-air and discusses music, news, or other subjects on the breaks between songs. Average Annual Earnings: $28,000. General Earnings Range: $20,000-$1,000,000+. A Radio DJ plays and mixes music and discusses news, music, or other topics of interest on breaks between songs. An On Air Personality, on the other hand, is not responsible for actually playing and mixing music. DJ Brandi Garcia of classic Los Angeles hip-hop station KDAY says her day consists of “show prep.