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What Does it Take to Be a Broadcast Technician?

Broadcast Technician 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.

A Day in the Life of a Broadcast Technician

  • Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
  • Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
  • Organize recording sessions and prepare areas, such as radio booths and television stations, for recording.
  • Monitor and log transmitter readings.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.

Broadcast Technician Needed Skills

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

  • Program Clerk
  • Sound Controller
  • Operations Technician
  • Television Technician
  • Electronics Technician

Job Outlook 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. There will be an estimated 2,900 positions for Broadcast Technician per year.

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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 Salary

Broadcast Technicians make between $21,130 and $82,580 a year.

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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

Tools & Technologies Used by Broadcast Technicians

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

How to Become a Broadcast Technician

What kind of Broadcast Technician requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Broadcast Technicians Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Broadcast Technicians employed by various industries.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those who work as a Broadcast Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Joalpe via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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