What Do Program Director Do?
Job Description: Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Life As a Program Director: What Do They Do?
- Direct setup of remote facilities and install or cancel programs at remote stations.
- Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
- Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
- Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
- Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
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Program Director Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Program Directors say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Other Program Director Job Titles
- Program and Research Coordinator
- TV News Director
- Director of Public Affairs, Programming and Special Promotions
- News Director
- Director of Content and Programming
Job Outlook for Program Directors
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 134,700 jobs in the United States for Program Director. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,500 new jobs for Program Director by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,100 positions for Program Director per year.

The states with the most job growth for Program Director are Utah, Georgia, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Program Director Make?
Program Directors make between $34,450 and $163,540 a year.

Program Directors who work in California, New York, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Program Directors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $57,040 |
Alaska | $61,280 |
Arizona | $62,760 |
Arkansas | $58,750 |
California | $115,080 |
Colorado | $68,290 |
Connecticut | $84,900 |
Delaware | $59,680 |
District of Columbia | $89,390 |
Florida | $70,630 |
Georgia | $84,570 |
Hawaii | $73,200 |
Idaho | $55,600 |
Illinois | $77,960 |
Indiana | $48,300 |
Iowa | $46,610 |
Kansas | $56,680 |
Kentucky | $60,530 |
Louisiana | $56,290 |
Maine | $51,310 |
Maryland | $78,760 |
Massachusetts | $70,480 |
Michigan | $65,910 |
Minnesota | $73,110 |
Mississippi | $44,310 |
Missouri | $65,560 |
Montana | $51,920 |
Nebraska | $51,620 |
Nevada | $67,190 |
New Hampshire | $59,830 |
New Jersey | $92,180 |
New Mexico | $75,110 |
New York | $115,610 |
North Carolina | $73,980 |
North Dakota | $42,570 |
Ohio | $60,590 |
Oklahoma | $55,670 |
Oregon | $68,280 |
Pennsylvania | $76,050 |
Rhode Island | $65,660 |
South Carolina | $57,200 |
South Dakota | $55,930 |
Tennessee | $65,040 |
Texas | $69,280 |
Utah | $67,800 |
Vermont | $58,760 |
Virginia | $69,750 |
Washington | $71,430 |
Wisconsin | $57,110 |
Wyoming | $45,930 |
What Tools do Program Directors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Program Directors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Content management systems CMS
- Avid Technology iNEWS
- Broadcast Electronics AudioVAULT FleX
How to Become a Program Director
Individuals working as a Program Director have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Program Directors Work?

Below are examples of industries where Program Directors work:

References:
Image Credit: Donald Judge via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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