What Does a Broadcast Technician Do?
Broadcast technicians switch a station between network feeds, local shows and commercials from master control, the room that sends the final signal to air. On live programs they work the audio board, studio cameras and teleprompter, in the control rooms and studios of TV and radio stations. Some specialize in studio audio or camera work.
Also known as: TV Production Technician, Broadcast Operations Technician
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Audio Engineer, Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Maintenance Engineer, Broadcast Operations Engineer, Control Operator, Production Engineer.
Broadcast Technician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a broadcast technician include:
- Run master control, switching between network feeds, local programs and commercials on schedule.
- Load and check the automation playlist, fixing timing gaps before they reach air.
- Operate audio boards for live shows, keeping levels steady and microphones cued.
- Set up and run studio cameras, lights and teleprompters for news and talk programs.
- Ingest, record and label incoming programs, promos and remote feeds.
- Watch audio and video quality on monitors and scopes, and correct problems quickly.
- Log what aired and note any discrepancies for traffic and billing staff.
- Patch remote broadcasts from games, concerts and events back to the studio.
- Build on-screen graphics, name captions and crawls in the character generator.
- Report equipment faults to the broadcast engineer and do basic cleaning and cable repairs.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a broadcast technician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Master control and automation systems
- Audio board operation
- Studio camera and lighting basics
- Reading waveform monitors and audio meters
- Quick reactions when a feed drops
- Attention to on-air timing
- Flexible schedule, including overnight shifts
- Basic electronics and cable repair
Education and Training
Entry to a station with only a high school diploma might be possible, but applicants with an associate degree in broadcast or electronics technology will have a clear advantage over other candidates. Most stations require technicians to be flexible about shifts. With experience, you could move into areas such as video production or IT support for media companies.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $40,320 - $83,520 per year, with a median of $59,570.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Broadcast Technicians.
According to BLS, employment of broadcast technicians is projected to decline about 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 1,600 openings a year. Jobs in this field often are tied to how much stations automate master control, but technicians will be needed as live sports, news and events still need a crew.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Broadcast technicians.
Broadcast Technician Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $31,390 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $40,320 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $59,570 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $83,520 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $123,670 |
Highest-Paying States for Broadcast Technicians
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($108,270), New Hampshire ($81,150), Pennsylvania ($80,470), New York ($78,840), Illinois ($74,210). Pay is lowest in Utah ($31,490), Mississippi ($27,750), West Virginia ($27,310).
Median pay in all 47 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,290 |
| Arizona | $73,040 |
| Arkansas | $41,870 |
| California | $72,800 |
| Colorado | $74,040 |
| Connecticut | $58,930 |
| District of Columbia | $108,270 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Georgia | $47,340 |
| Hawaii | $49,200 |
| Idaho | $44,730 |
| Illinois | $74,210 |
| Indiana | $44,400 |
| Iowa | $46,820 |
| Kansas | $41,600 |
| Kentucky | $40,240 |
| Louisiana | $44,440 |
| Maine | $55,110 |
| Maryland | $64,030 |
| Massachusetts | $47,260 |
| Michigan | $47,730 |
| Minnesota | $46,790 |
| Mississippi | $27,750 |
| Missouri | $41,600 |
| Montana | $46,600 |
| Nebraska | $43,680 |
| Nevada | $73,070 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 |
| New Mexico | $49,990 |
| New York | $78,840 |
| North Carolina | $47,780 |
| North Dakota | $48,090 |
| Ohio | $48,720 |
| Oklahoma | $44,530 |
| Oregon | $44,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,470 |
| Rhode Island | $49,580 |
| South Carolina | $46,860 |
| South Dakota | $32,150 |
| Tennessee | $47,340 |
| Texas | $49,440 |
| Utah | $31,490 |
| Virginia | $57,940 |
| Washington | $62,070 |
| West Virginia | $27,310 |
| Wisconsin | $62,400 |
| Wyoming | $39,380 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as broadcast technicians about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 98% use email every day
- 98% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 97% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 96% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 65% are on the phone every day
- 64% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 51% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 43% |
| Some college | 27% |
| High school diploma or GED | 17% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 10% |
Tools and Software Broadcast Technicians Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Writing, Complex Problem Solving.
Knowledge areas used most: Computers and Electronics, Telecommunications, Engineering and Technology, Communications and Media, English Language.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Broadcast Technician Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-4012.00 (Broadcast Technicians). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.