Media Technical Directors/Managers

Overview

Media Technical Directors/Managers 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

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

Work Values

• Independence
• Support
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.
• Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
• Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
• Follow instructions from production managers and directors during productions, such as commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics, and takes.
• Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Getting Information
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
• Working with Computers
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Thinking Creatively
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Detailed Work Activities

• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 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.
• 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.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

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 Technical Directors/Managers:

Video Resources