All About Broadcast Technicians
Job Description: Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate transmitter to broadcast radio or television programs.
Life As a Broadcast Technician: What Do They Do?
- Develop employee work schedules.
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Design and modify equipment to employer specifications.
- Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
- Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Produce educational and training films and videotapes by performing activities, such as selecting equipment and preparing scripts.
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Qualities of a Broadcast Technician
These are the skills Broadcast Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Broadcast Technician Jobs
- Radio Station Audio Engineer
- Signal Engineer
- Computer Engineer
- Technical Director
- Transmitter Supervisor
Is There Going to be Demand for Broadcast Technicians?
In the United States, there were 34,000 jobs for Broadcast Technician in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Broadcast Technician. The BLS estimates 2,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Broadcast Technician are Utah, Rhode Island, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Kansas, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Broadcast Technician Average Salary
The salary for Broadcast Technicians ranges between about $21,130 and $82,580 a year.
Broadcast Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New York, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Broadcast Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,690 |
| Alaska | $36,200 |
| Arizona | $38,230 |
| Arkansas | $37,860 |
| California | $46,140 |
| Colorado | $51,230 |
| Connecticut | $36,830 |
| Delaware | $38,420 |
| District of Columbia | $81,150 |
| Florida | $41,550 |
| Georgia | $44,560 |
| Hawaii | $42,900 |
| Idaho | $40,860 |
| Illinois | $50,140 |
| Indiana | $35,170 |
| Iowa | $39,180 |
| Kansas | $40,550 |
| Kentucky | $40,980 |
| Maine | $50,820 |
| Maryland | $54,330 |
| Massachusetts | $45,660 |
| Michigan | $45,300 |
| Minnesota | $43,480 |
| Mississippi | $37,000 |
| Missouri | $45,130 |
| Montana | $34,720 |
| Nebraska | $38,720 |
| Nevada | $32,970 |
| New Jersey | $54,960 |
| New Mexico | $33,720 |
| New York | $57,460 |
| North Carolina | $41,260 |
| North Dakota | $38,790 |
| Ohio | $40,610 |
| Oklahoma | $33,540 |
| Oregon | $42,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,070 |
| Rhode Island | $47,020 |
| South Carolina | $37,480 |
| South Dakota | $34,190 |
| Tennessee | $45,260 |
| Texas | $40,510 |
| Utah | $39,740 |
| Vermont | $37,140 |
| Virginia | $46,370 |
| Washington | $48,420 |
| West Virginia | $34,070 |
| Wisconsin | $44,380 |
| Wyoming | $45,660 |
What Tools do Broadcast Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Broadcast Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Linux
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- UNIX
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro
- Cisco IOS
- Avid Technology
Becoming a Broadcast Technician
What kind of Broadcast Technician requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Broadcast Technician?
Where do Broadcast Technicians Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Broadcast Technicians employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Are you already one of the many Broadcast Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Joalpe via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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