Broadcast Technicians

Overview

Broadcast Technicians has a national median salary of $59,570 per year, with -3.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Support
• Achievement
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.

Work Activities

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Getting Information
• Working with Computers
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Detailed Work Activities

• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for an associate's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Broadcast Technicians:

Video Resources