Media Technical Directors/Managers in California
Considering working as a Media Technical Directors/Managers in California? Here’s what the data says. Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.
What do Media Technical Directors/Managers Make in California?
For media technical directors/managers working in California, the median annual wage is $122,150 per year (or roughly $58.73/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| 25th percentile | $78,360 | $37.68 |
| Median (50th) | $122,150 | $58.73 |
| 75th percentile | $170,720 | $82.08 |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 2.10, meaning that media technical directors/managers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, media technical directors/managers earn a median of $65,049 per year ($31.27/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 140,123 media technical directors/managers nationwide. In California alone, approximately 35,650 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,290 media technical directors/managers.
Top California Metros for Media Technical Directors/Managers
The metro areas below employ the most media technical directors/managers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 24,110 | $127,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,850 | $122,210 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,360 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,040 | $88,090 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 760 | $81,720 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 590 | $83,600 |
| Fresno, CA | 320 | $75,700 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 230 | n/a |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 140 | $77,950 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 120 | $76,950 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 110 | $72,900 |
| Salinas, CA | 80 | $69,120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 60 | $77,820 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 60 | $84,660 |
| Modesto, CA | 40 | $66,540 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 40 | $78,220 |
| Vallejo, CA | 40 | $77,610 |
| Napa, CA | 30 | $78,770 |
| Redding, CA | 30 | $60,900 |
Top States for Media Technical Directors/Managers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most media technical directors/managers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 35,650 |
| New York | 29,720 |
| Florida | 8,160 |
| Texas | 7,270 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,400 |
| Massachusetts | 3,520 |
| North Carolina | 3,520 |
| Georgia | 3,470 |
| Illinois | 3,380 |
| New Jersey | 3,060 |
| District of Columbia | 2,810 |
| Virginia | 2,800 |
| Washington | 2,710 |
| Connecticut | 2,080 |
| Michigan | 2,010 |
| Maryland | 1,980 |
| Ohio | 1,870 |
| Colorado | 1,870 |
| Tennessee | 1,850 |
| Indiana | 1,670 |
Highest-Paying States for Media Technical Directors/Managers
The highest-paying states for media technical directors/managers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,150 |
| New Jersey | $107,850 |
| New York | $104,010 |
| District of Columbia | $99,900 |
| Delaware | $93,930 |
| Connecticut | $85,710 |
| Florida | $81,240 |
| Oregon | $80,610 |
| Washington | $79,220 |
| Massachusetts | $79,100 |
Skills
Key media technical directors/managers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for media technical directors/managers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
- Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
- Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
- Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Thinking Creatively
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Atlassian JIRA In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Film, Video & Photographic Arts
- Drama & Theater Arts
- Arts & Media Management
- Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like media technical directors/managers include:
- Project Management Specialists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Computer Network Architects
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Web Administrators
Also Known As
Broadcast Director, News Director, News Technical Director, Newscast Director, Operations Director, Operations Manager, Production Director, Production Manager, Production Superintendent, Production Supervisor, Radio Station Manager, Radio Television Technical Director, Record Producer, Remote Operations Producer, Studio Director.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-2012.05