📺
Television Broadcasting
NBC, CBS, FOX
Broadcast Technicians
Broadcast technicians keep radio and TV programs on the air by managing sound levels, signal strength, and the equipment that carries the broadcast. The work is distinct because it combines live troubleshooting with strict logging and compliance duties, so you have to stay accurate even when a show is airing in real time. The main tradeoff is that the job is hands-on and technical, but the demand is modest and a lot of the pressure comes from fixing problems instantly when something goes wrong.
Also known as Master Control OperatorBroadcast OperatorTransmission TechnicianStudio TechnicianPlayout Operator
Median Salary
$53,920
Mean $64,220
U.S. Workforce
~21K
1.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-2.8%
24.8K to 24.2K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Broadcast Technicians sits in the Creative category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~21K workers, with a median annual pay of $53,920 and roughly 1.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 24.8 K in 2024 to 24.2K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's degree in broadcasting, electronics, or audio/video technology, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Studio/AV Assistant and can progress toward Broadcast Operations Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Broadcast Troubleshooting & Signal Diagnostics, Signal Monitoring, Multiviewers & Broadcast Metering, and Audio Consoles, Mixers & Routing Panels, paired with soft skills such as Critical thinking, Active listening, and Attention to detail.
Core Responsibilities
- Adjust microphones, mixers, and other audio gear so voices and music sound clear during live or recorded broadcasts.
- Install broadcast equipment, track down technical problems, and make small repairs with hand tools before airtime is affected.
- Keep required station logs up to date, including records needed for management and FCC compliance.
- Watch signal meters and transmitter readings, then fine-tune settings when the picture or sound starts to drift.
Keep exploring: more Creative careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Adjust microphones, mixers, and other audio gear so voices and music sound clear during live or recorded broadcasts.
02 Install broadcast equipment, track down technical problems, and make small repairs with hand tools before airtime is affected.
03 Keep required station logs up to date, including records needed for management and FCC compliance.
04 Watch signal meters and transmitter readings, then fine-tune settings when the picture or sound starts to drift.
05 Check monitors and talk with other station staff to make sure programs are actually airing and the audio and video levels are correct.
06 Preview scheduled shows and choose which source feed will be sent out over the air or to a network.
Industries That Hire
📻
Radio Broadcasting
iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media
🏟️
Sports Media
ESPN, NBC Sports, Fox Sports
🏛️
Public Broadcasting
PBS, NPR, GBH
🎬
Studio and Network Operations
Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global, Disney
Pros and Cons
Advantages
+
The pay is solid for a technical media job, with a median annual wage of $53,920 and a mean of $64,220.
+
You usually do not need prior experience, and the occupation typically offers short-term on-the-job training.
+
The work is concrete and technical: you are working with audio gear, signal paths, and live equipment instead of doing purely desk-based work.
+
There are still about 1.8 thousand annual openings, so people do leave the field and new positions do appear.
+
If you like live media, the job offers a mix of computers, electronics, and quick problem-solving that can stay interesting day to day.
Challenges
-
The long-term outlook is weak, with employment projected to fall 2.8% from 24.8 thousand jobs in 2024 to 24.2 thousand by 2034.
-
A lot of the work has to happen on site in control rooms, studios, or transmitter rooms, so remote work is rare.
-
Automation and centralized playout systems can reduce the number of people stations need, which is a structural risk for the occupation.
-
The career ladder is fairly narrow, so many workers have to move into engineering, operations, or management to get much more pay.
-
When a signal drops or a live broadcast fails, the pressure is immediate and there is no room to be late or vague.
Career Progression
Studio/AV Assistant
0-2 years
$32K-$41K
You help set up equipment, move gear, and learn the station's control-room workflow while more experienced staff handle live broadcasts.
Broadcast Technician
2-6 years
$45K-$60K
You monitor signals, run audio and transmission equipment, fix problems quickly, and keep broadcasts clean and on schedule.
Senior Broadcast Technician THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$61K-$77K
You handle the toughest technical issues, train newer staff, and take more responsibility for system reliability and compliance.
Broadcast Operations Supervisor
10+ years
$78K-$95K
You oversee schedules, coordinate technicians, and make sure the station or network stays on air with minimal disruption.
Education Paths
Associate's degree in broadcasting, electronics, or audio/video technology
The most common entry point, held by 43.37% of workers in this role.
Some college courses with strong hands-on lab experience
A substantial share of workers got started this way, with 26.62% reporting some college courses.
Post-secondary certificate in broadcast technology or electronics
A practical alternative for people who want focused training, and 10.2% of workers in this role report this level.
High school diploma plus short-term station training
This path still appears in the field, with 17.42% of workers reporting a high school diploma as their highest level of education.
Key Skills
Technical
Broadcast Troubleshooting & Signal Diagnostics 75%
Signal Monitoring, Multiviewers & Broadcast Metering 72%
Audio Consoles, Mixers & Routing Panels 70%
Broadcast Automation Software (ENCO, Dalet, RCS) 68%
FCC Logging, Playout Schedules & Station Database Software 65%
Electronic Repair Tools, Signal Generators & Hand Tools 62%
Soft Skills
Critical thinkingActive listeningAttention to detailCalm under pressureClear communicationProblem solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-2.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 24.8K to 24.2 K over the next decade, representing -2.8% growth. Around 1.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.