Broadcast Technicians earn $59,570 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $40,320 and $83,520. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
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.
Also known as:
Broadcast Technicians earn $59,570 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,320 and $83,520. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The mean wage for this occupation is $67,960, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Broadcast Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects -2.8% employment change for Broadcast Technicians through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 1,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Declining employment projected.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Broadcast Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $59,570 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,520 | $73,780 | +23.9% |
| 2 | New York | 1,800 | $80,980 | +35.9% |
| 3 | Florida | 1,250 | $46,290 | -22.3% |
| 4 | Texas | 1,120 | $45,070 | -24.3% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 970 | $57,250 | -3.9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Broadcast Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 6,764 | $44,889 | 339 |
| 2 | Communications Technologies/Technicians | 990 | $36,451 | 55 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | 88 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
| 2 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | 88 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| 3 | De Anza College Cupertino, CA | 85 | $6,642 | $56,596 |
| 4 | Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL | 85 | $1,808 | $38,129 |
| 5 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
| 6 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA | 83 | $3,337 | $48,224 |
Once you've sized up Broadcast Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Broadcast Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Broadcast Technicians has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 2 upsides and 3 concerns below are all data-sourced.
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