Arts, design, media and sports
Broadcast technician
Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.
Median pay
$59,570
Growth to 2035
−3%
declining
Openings a year
1,600
Time to qualify*
2.1 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Broadcast technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Broadcast technician: 2% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
- Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
- Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
- Monitor and log transmitter readings.
- Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
Also called: Audio Engineer · Board Operator · Broadcast Engineer · Broadcast Maintenance Engineer · Broadcast Operations Engineer · Broadcast Operations Technician (Broadcast Ops Tech) · Broadcast Systems Support Engineer · Control Operator
Outlook and AI
Broadcast technicians held 24,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 23,300 by 2035 (−3%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Productivity change - share decreases as technology including artificial intelligence (AI) allow technicians to perform more activities onsite and in remote locations.
Compare with
- Broadcast technician vs. Audio and video technicians
- Broadcast technician vs. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
- Broadcast technician vs. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Broadcast technician vs. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians
- Broadcast technician vs. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Broadcast technician vs. Calibration technologists and technicians
- Broadcast technician vs. Sound engineering technician
- Broadcast technician vs. Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers
- Broadcast technician vs. Lighting technician
- Broadcast technician vs. Computer network architect