Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.
National median · BLS
$59,570
▲ +10.48%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$67,960
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
21,110
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Broadcast Technicians
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$31,390
25th
$40,320
Median (50th)
$59,570
75th
$83,520
90th — top pay
$123,670
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Broadcast Technicians
BLS projects employment of broadcast technicians to decline 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 1,600 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
24,100 → 23,300
-800 jobs
Projected change
-3.1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,600
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
11.3% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Broadcast Technicians salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Broadcast Technicians
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Critical Thinking3.9
Monitoring3.9
Operations Monitoring3.9
Active Listening3.6
Operation and Control3.4
Quality Control Analysis3.3
Reading Comprehension3.3
Systems Analysis3.3
Systems Evaluation3.3
Active Learning3.1
Top knowledge areas
Computers and Electronics5.0
Communications and Media4.5
Telecommunications4.5
Engineering and Technology4.4
English Language4.2
Education and Training3.7
Administration and Management3.3
Public Safety and Security3.2
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareAdobe After EffectsAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAutodesk AutoCADLinuxMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordUNIXAdobe AuditionAdobe Premiere ProApple Final Cut ProAvid Technology audio visual editing softwareCharacter generator software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What broadcast technicians do
Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
Monitor and log transmitter readings.
Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
Audio OperatorAV Tech (Audio Visual Technician)Control Room OperatorControl Room Technician (Control Room Tech)Digital Production AssistantMaster Control EngineerMedia Technician (Media Tech)Microphone OperatorMixer OperatorNews Gathering Technician (News Gathering Tech)News Production AssistantOperations Technician (Ops Tech)Production Technician (Production Tech)Projection EngineerRadio EngineerRadio Field EngineerRadio Frequency Technician (Radio Frequency Tech)Radio Frequency Test Technician (Radio Frequency Test Tech)Radio Station Audio EngineerRadio Station EngineerRemote Broadcast EngineerSignal EngineerSound ControllerSound MixerSound PersonSound Technician (Sound Tech)Station EngineerStudio Control OperatorStudio EngineerStudio Operation EngineerStudio Technician (Studio Tech)Tape Recordings EngineerTelecasting EngineerTelecasting Technician (Telecasting Tech)Telecine OperatorTransmission OperatorTransmitter EngineerTransmitter OperatorTV Audio Engineer (Television Audio Engineer)TV Engineer (Television Engineer)TV Field Engineer (Television Field Engineer)TV Operator (Television Operator)TV Tech (Television Technician)Video Control EngineerVideotape Operator (VT Operator)Wire Photo Operator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Broadcast Technicians, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $59,570.
