I am currently semi-retired and work from home using my computers to cultivate work for my new business and that of my friend's full service production company. We both have over 25 years experience in the field and met on a shoot then decided to conspire to build our businesses together. A typical shoot requires meeting with producers, directors and talent, setting up production equipment, running cables and testing out everything. Then we work together as a team to produce the product.
CAREER
Broadcast Technicians
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$44,740
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-2% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Broadcast Technicians Do
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.
Other Job Titles Broadcast Technicians May Have
Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Technician, Control Operator
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Monitor and log transmitter readings.
- Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Broadcast Technicians
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Associate's degree (43%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Organizational Communication, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
The broadcast television industry is a highly technical field that requires one to be computer literate. And, besides developing a wide range of knowledge concerning cameras, lenses and camera support equipment it's important to become familiar with a host of equipment such as vector scopes & wave form monitors, and edit systems. It is a highly competitive field and requires a sense of persistence and an ability to handle enormous rejection; of course this is true of most creative career endeavors.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Although I attended a four year college, I wouldn't recommend it to those who wish to work on the technical side of the industry in that it fails far short in preparing one to be a broadcast engineer. The curriculum tends toward the more creative side for those pursuing careers as directors or producers. I would recommend a school such as The School of Visual Arts in NYC because it gives one much more "hands on" experience; they bring their students out into the field to conduct actual shoots.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
