Broadcast Technicians: Salary Overview
Broadcast technicians set up and operate the equipment that is used to acquire and transmit radio or television programs.
Their job consists of controlling and adjusting broadcast signals and ensuring that the signal is strong and clear.
They usually work with satellite, microwave, and other transmitter equipment.
Sometimes they are also called broadcast engineers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for broadcast technicians was $40,570 as of May 2019 which means that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Salaries vary based on many factors, including experience and education level, region, and industry of employment.
The report published by BLS shows that the lowest 10 percent of all broadcast technicians earned less than $21,620 while the top 10 percent made more than $82,080 annually.
Broadcast Technician Salary by Industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, broadcast technicians held approximately 32,700 jobs in the United States in 2019, most of them working in the field of radio and television broadcasting or in the motion picture and video industries.
The average annual wage reported by broadcast technicians who were employed in the field of radio and television broadcasting was $44,090 as of May 2019.
Broadcast technicians who worked for the motion picture and video industries reportedly earned $62,260 per year, on average, while those who worked in the field of cable and other subscription programming reportedly made $52,570 annually.
The mean annual salary was $51,930 per year for broadcast technicians who worked for colleges, universities, and professional schools and $40,750 for those who worked for state governments.
The report shows that the highest paying industry for this profession was the federal executive branch where the average annual wage reported by workers in this occupation was $99,100- more than double the average for this profession across all industries.
Salary by Education and Experience Level
Besides the industry of employment, the are many other factors that determine how much a broadcasting technician makes each year.
One such factor is the experience level.
As an entry-level employee, your salary will, most likely, be closer to the minimum for this profession but you will start to earn more after gaining a few years of experience.
You can enter this profession by finding employment in a smaller market or at a small station in a big market but you may have the opportunity of transferring to a larger, better-paying position after gaining a few years of experience and perfecting your skills.
Education is another important factor in calculating a broadcast technician’s annual salary.
You will typically need an associate’s degree in order to enter this profession.
These post-secondary programs typically include hands-on experience with the equipment that is used in many entry-level positions.
Salaries also vary depending on the region and the state of employment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying state for this occupation is the District of Columbia, where the average annual wage reported by broadcast technicians was $75,840.
Broadcast technicians in New Jersey reportedly made $63,700 per year while those in New York were remunerated, on average, with $57,820 annually.
Some of the states with the lowest annual salary reported by this occupation are Nevada, Alaska, Alabama, Oklahoma, Montana, and South Dakota.
Job Prospects
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for broadcast technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2018 to 2028.
Their services will continue to be needed but the employment growth will be tempered by the fact that most major stations use a single facility to broadcast to multiple stations.
Your job opportunities and earning prospects will depend upon the region but also upon your skills and experience level.
* Based on information from the May 2023 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Broadcast Technicians. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.