Occupation · SOC 27-4012
Broadcast Technicians
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 wage
$53,920
$29,190–$115,400
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
21,080
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
98 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningOperations MonitoringMonitoringWritingComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementSpeakingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment MaintenanceActive LearningTroubleshootingSocial PerceptivenessOperation and ControlCoordinationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationRepairingMathematicsEquipment SelectionManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationScienceManagement of Financial Resources
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyCommunications and MediaEnglish LanguageDesignMathematicsEducation and TrainingMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentBuilding and ConstructionGeographyPhysicsTransportationPsychologyChemistrySales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryBiologyFine ArtsHistory and ArcheologyFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe After EffectsAdobe AuditionAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Premiere ProApple Final Cut ProAutodesk AutoCADAvid Technology audio visual editing softwareCharacter generator softwareCisco IOSDassault Systemes CATIAEmail softwareLinuxMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordUNIXVideo decoder softwareVideo encoder softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationControlling Machines and ProcessesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsCoaching and Developing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Transmitter readings — monitor and log under direct supervision during scheduled broadcast shifts at a radio or television station.Programming logs — maintain basic entries as directed by station management and in accordance with FCC requirements during routine operations.Audio and video levels — observe monitors and relay findings to senior technicians to confirm programs are airing correctly.Broadcast automation systems — play and record scheduled programs under guidance using station-provided automation software.Incoming and outgoing signals — identify strength and clarity issues and report discrepancies to a supervising technician during live broadcasts.Broadcast station computers and networks — assist with basic setup tasks under the direction of experienced staff in a production environment.Scheduled program content — preview assigned segments using playback equipment to confirm signal function before transmission.Equipment problems — recognize and report faults to engineering staff promptly to minimize on-air disruption at the broadcast facility.Station communication channels — listen actively to instructions from directors and operators to coordinate tasks during live programming.Basic hand tools and test instruments — use under direct supervision to support routine equipment checks at a broadcast station.
developing
Transmitter readings — monitor, log, and interpret data independently across standard broadcast shifts, flagging anomalies for review.FCC-required programming logs — maintain accurate and complete records with minimal oversight, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.Signal quality — adjust equipment settings routinely to sustain strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing broadcast signals.Broadcast automation systems — operate and troubleshoot with confidence during scheduled and breaking programming at a mid-size station.Equipment faults — diagnose common problems and perform emergency repairs on familiar hardware to restore service with reduced downtime.Broadcast computers and networks — set up, configure, and maintain station systems independently in a standard production environment.Program readiness — preview and clear multiple scheduled segments for transmission, managing time effectively across a full broadcast day.Audio and video levels — converse with on-air and production staff to coordinate adjustments and confirm acceptable broadcast quality.Video and sound editing software — apply editing tools to prepare or correct content for broadcast with growing proficiency.Incident documentation — write clear, accurate equipment-problem reports that support engineering follow-up and station maintenance records.
proficient
Signal integrity — autonomously monitor, diagnose, and resolve complex strength and clarity issues across multiple simultaneous broadcast streams.Emergency equipment repairs — execute hands-on fixes to a wide range of broadcast hardware under time pressure with minimal guidance during live events.FCC compliance records — manage and audit programming logs station-wide, identifying and correcting discrepancies before regulatory review.Broadcast networks and servers — architect, maintain, and troubleshoot full station computer and network infrastructure across IT and RF systems.Automation system failures — apply advanced problem-solving to restore automated playback during critical broadcast windows without escalation.Transmission quality — evaluate non-routine signal anomalies using deductive reasoning and test equipment, implementing lasting corrective solutions.Scheduled and live programming — oversee end-to-end readiness of all outgoing content, coordinating with production and on-air teams across the broadcast day.Preventive maintenance programs — design and execute equipment maintenance schedules that reduce failure rates across the station's technical infrastructure.Cross-platform broadcast tools — integrate video creation, sound editing, and desktop publishing software into streamlined production workflows.Station personnel coordination — lead real-time communication between engineering, production, and management during complex or breaking broadcast situations.
advanced
Broadcast engineering strategy — set the technical direction for station infrastructure upgrades, aligning capital investments with regulatory and audience-delivery goals.Technician development — design training programs and mentor emerging and developing broadcast technicians to build organizational technical capacity.FCC compliance framework — establish station-wide policies and audit procedures that ensure sustained regulatory compliance across all broadcast operations.Signal and transmission standards — define quality benchmarks for all incoming and outgoing signals and lead efforts to meet or exceed industry best practices.Equipment maintenance governance — develop and oversee a comprehensive maintenance and replacement strategy for the station's full technology portfolio.Broadcast technology adoption — evaluate and lead implementation of emerging automation, networking, and production technologies at the organizational level.Crisis engineering response — direct cross-functional teams during major technical failures or disasters to restore broadcast service and protect station license.Vendor and partner management — negotiate contracts and manage relationships with equipment suppliers, network affiliates, and technology service providers.Organizational workflow design — architect end-to-end production and transmission workflows that improve efficiency, reliability, and output quality station-wide.Industry and regulatory leadership — represent the station in industry forums and with FCC stakeholders, influencing standards that shape broadcast technology practice.
Also known as
65 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Audio EngineerAudio OperatorBoard OperatorBroadcast EngineerBroadcast Maintenance EngineerBroadcast Operations EngineerBroadcast Operations TechnicianBroadcast TechnicianColor TechnicianControl EngineerControl OperatorControl Room OperatorControl Room TechnicianDigital Production AssistantEngineering OperatorEngineering TechnicianFacsimile OperatorMaster Control EngineerMedia TechnicianMicrophone OperatorMixer OperatorNews Gathering TechnicianNews Production AssistantOperating EngineerOperations TechnicianProduction EngineerProduction Technician (Production Tech)Program SchedulerProjection EngineerRadio and Television Field EngineerRadio EngineerRadio Frequency Test Technician (Radio Frequency Test Tech)Radio Station Audio EngineerRadio Station EngineerRadio TechnicianRecords and Tape Recordings EngineerReliability TechnicianRemote Broadcast EngineerSignal EngineerSound Controller