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Media Technical Directors/Managers in California

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
Salary ranges for Media Technical Directors/Managers in California

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.

Media Technical Directors/Managers earnings in California vs. the national average

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.

Media Technical Directors/Managers in California vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for 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:

Coordination  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Communications and Media  4.8 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Telecommunications  3.8 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  3.6 / 5
0
5
Administration and Management  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for media technical directors/managers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.9 / 5
0
5
Far Vision  3.8 / 5
0
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

Other careers like media technical directors/managers include:

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

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