Media Programming Directors

Overview

Media Programming Directors has a national median salary of $90,360 per year, with +4% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

Work Values

• Recognition
• Achievement
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.
• Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
• Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
• Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Thinking Creatively
• Working with Computers
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Coaching and Developing Others

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor'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 master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Media Programming Directors:

Video Resources