Broadcast Technician
A Broadcast Technician is a vital professional in the media industry responsible for the operation and maintenance of audio and audiovisual equipment used in radio and television broadcasting. Their main duties include controlling sound quality, monitoring broadcast signals, and ensuring compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Broadcast technicians typically work in radio and television stations, and their roles can vary significantly based on the size of the station; larger stations often have specialized technicians, while smaller stations require generalists who handle multiple tasks.
The job can involve physical demands, such as climbing broadcast towers or handling heavy equipment, and technicians may work irregular hours to accommodate the 24/7 nature of media production. Required education includes an associate's degree, though some positions may benefit from a bachelor's degree or technical training. The median annual salary for Broadcast Technicians is approximately $54,160, and employment outlook is expected to grow at an average rate. This field offers a dynamic environment for those interested in technology and media, providing opportunities for career advancement and specialization in areas such as audio control or video recording.
Broadcast Technician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Broadcast media and technology, audio/visual techniques, film production
Earnings (Yearly Median): $54,160 per year $26.04 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 2% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Broadcast technicians are responsible for the maintenance and operation of audio or audiovisual equipment that transmits signals to listeners or viewers. They may control radio equipment, regulate sound quality and volume levels, or monitor the fidelity, brightness, and other visual elements of a television broadcast. They also direct technical operations within a radio or television station and direct various aspects of transmission, such as transferring from local to network broadcasts, signaling when video or audio footage is over. They ensure the program operates within Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Broadcast technicians at large stations tend to specialize in specific operations, while technicians at smaller stations oversee a number of responsibilities.
Work Environment. Broadcast technicians generally work in radio and television stations. When shows and programs are broadcast from off-site locations, technicians may travel to these locations. They may be required to climb antennas, power poles, or broadcast towers; perform heavy lifting; or otherwise engage in physical activity during the course of their jobs. Broadcast technicians generally work forty-hour weeks, but since a majority of television and radio stations remain on the air during nights, weekends, and holidays, technicians may work erratic shifts.
Occupation Interest. Broadcast technicians play an integral role in ensuring that broadcasts are transmitted properly, making their work a fulfilling career for individuals who thrive in a complex and fast-paced technological environment. The broad range of equipment used in radio and television, including microphones, sound recorders, lights, cameras, and transmitters, provides technicians with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a variety of areas or choose to specialize in one particular field.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Broadcast technicians coordinate with station managers, producers, and directors to ensure that audiovisual systems operate properly while radio or television programs are running. They monitor the strength and clarity of outgoing and incoming signals, regulate sound and visual effects using sound boards and video monitors, and report any equipment failures or issues. Broadcast technicians repair or disconnect faulty or outdated hardware and install new equipment as needed. They are frequently responsible for maintaining detailed programming logs in accordance with the established policies of the station and the FCC.
In the case of large stations, the tasks broadcast technicians perform depends on the specialized field in which they work. For example, lighting technicians spend most of their time ensuring that lights are positioned properly, while transmitter technicians work primarily at the location of the station’s transmitter, often in a different building from the main studio. Audio control technicians, meanwhile, work in master control booths and specialize in operating the complex computer-based sound systems used in modern radio and television stations.
In contrast, smaller stations frequently have few or no specialized technicians. Consequently, broadcast technicians working in these environments are often generalists, responsible for lights, sound, transmitters, and all other aspects of the station’s technical systems.
Audio Operators (194.262-010). Audio Operators control audio equipment to regulate volume level and sound quality during television broadcasts.
Field Engineers (193.262-018). Field Engineers install and operate portable field transmission equipment to broadcast programs or events originating outside the studio.
Transmitter Operators (193.262-038). Transmitter Operators are responsible for monitoring and logging outgoing signals and for operating the transmitter.
Plant and Maintenance Technicians (822.281-030). Plant and Maintenance Technicians repair, adjust, set up, and service electronic broadcasting equipment. It is their job to determine the cause of signal breakdown and repair it.
Recording Engineers (194.362-010). Recording Engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording equipment. They operate the disk or recording machine to record music, dialogue or sound effects during recording sessions, radio and television broadcasts or conferences.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Broadcast technicians primarily work in television and radio stations. However, they often work outdoors, either with on-site shooting crews or on outdoor equipment, such as transmitters, located away from the station. Broadcast technicians face some danger of electrocution or other injury when working with high voltages and equipment that is difficult to access or in adverse weather conditions.
Human Environment. Depending on their area of work, broadcast technicians may interact with directors, producers, camera and microphone operators, set construction crews, electricians, or on-air personalities. In addition, they may work closely with broadcast technicians specializing in particular tasks.
Technological Environment. The equipment used by broadcast technicians varies based on their responsibilities or specialty and may include sound mixers, cameras, lighting systems and towers, boom microphones, transmitter equipment, master control switchers, oscilloscopes, satellite receivers, and video editors. Technicians may also use video creation, graphic and photo imaging, and office suite computer software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming broadcast technicians should take industrial arts courses related to radio and television repair and electronics. Courses in geometry, trigonometry, and algebra are also highly useful for aspiring technicians. Participation in the school’s audiovisual department, as well as theater and other extracurricular activities focused on lighting or sound, is strongly encouraged.
Postsecondary. Following high school, aspiring broadcast technicians frequently complete a technical training program at a vocational school or similar institution. A growing number of broadcast technicians hold associate’s or bachelor’s degrees, which give those candidates an edge in this highly competitive field and opens up possibilities for career advancement. Some senior-level technicians even hold advanced degrees in engineering.
Related Occupations
− Electrical and Electronics Engineer
− Electronic Engineering Technician
− Motion Picture Projectionist
Bibliography
"Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/broadcast-and-sound-engineering-technicians.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 27-4012 Broadcast Technicians." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274012.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.