What You Need to Know About 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.
Life As a Broadcast Technician: What Do They Do?
- Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.
- Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
- Design and modify equipment to employer specifications.
- Schedule programming or read television programming logs to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired.
- Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.
- Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
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Skills Needed to be a Broadcast Technician
Below is a list of the skills most Broadcast Technicians say are important on the job.
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 Jobs
- Transmission Engineer
- Radio Board Operator
- Television Audio Engineer
- Newscast Director
- Transmitter Operator
Job Demand 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,900 job openings in this field each year.
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
The average yearly salary of a Broadcast Technician ranges between $21,130 and $82,580.
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 |
What Tools do Broadcast Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Broadcast Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Becoming a Broadcast Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Broadcast Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Broadcast Technicians?
Broadcast Technicians work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
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
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