Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $36,451 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,273 and $53,505. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Communications Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Communications Tech. Graduates typically earn around $36,451 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 55 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 990 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$19,859
Median Earnings · 4yr
$36,451
Colleges Offering
55
Graduates / Year
990
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,316
How Much Do Communications Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?
Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $36,451 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,273 and $53,505. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $19,859 climbs to $36,451 by year four.
$19,859
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$36,451
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$39,273
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$23,27325th pct.
$36,451Median
$53,50575th pct.
Is the Cost Worth It?
At median 4-year earnings of $36,451 and an estimated $69,264 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 10.7 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 14 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 990 students who complete Communications Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (55%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
27%55%
Bachelor's55%
Associate's27%
Certificate10%
What Can You Do With a Communications Technologies/Technicians Degree?
Communications Technologies/Technicians connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Film & Video Editor leads at $75,420/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingActive Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingOperation and Control
Day-to-day responsibilities
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
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.
Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
Monitor and log transmitter readings.
Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
Top Colleges for Communications Technologies/Technicians
The 19 colleges below are ranked by how many Communications Technologies/Technicians students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Communications Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Communications Tech Programs
Communications Technologies/Technicians is one of 4 specializations within Communications Tech. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Communications Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Communications Technologies/Technicians carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $19,859 at graduation to $36,451 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $36,451 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Long earnings breakevenAt median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 10.7 years.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($23,273) and 75th ($53,505) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
How much do Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates earn a national median of $36,451 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,273 and $53,505. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Communications Technologies/Technicians degree?
One year after graduation, Communications Technologies/Technicians degree holders earn a median of $19,859. That climbs to $36,451 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Communications Technologies/Technicians degree?
Communications Technologies/Technicians degree holders pursue careers including Film & Video Editor, which pays a median of $75,420/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Communications Technologies/Technicians program take?
A Communications Technologies/Technicians bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Communications Technologies/Technicians?
55 colleges and universities in the United States offer Communications Technologies/Technicians programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Communications Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $36,451 and an average net price of roughly $17,316/yr, a Communications Technologies/Technicians degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Communications Technologies/Technicians and Communications Tech?
Communications Technologies/Technicians is a focused concentration within the broader Communications Tech field. The Communications Tech major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Communications Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Employers hiring Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates?
The job outlook for Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -0.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Film & Video Editor is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.0%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Communications Tech Programs
Other programs in Communications Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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