Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Broadcast technicians work in a field that combines technology, hands-on equipment work, and problem solving. Nationally, there are about 25,000 people employed in this occupation, with a median annual salary of $53,920. The role relies on a mix of computers and information technology skills, mechanical abilities, and fine motor skills, supported by critical and analytical thinking. Project management, adaptability, and being detail oriented are also central, suggesting that technicians often balance multiple tasks while maintaining accuracy. Creativity and innovation, along with leadership, can help experienced technicians move into more senior or coordinating roles. While national employment is projected to decline modestly, there are still 2,000 annual openings, which indicates ongoing turnover and replacement needs. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals who enjoy technical work and problem solving, this can be a viable option, especially in certain states and metro areas that show stronger opportunity scores and higher median pay.
The national median annual salary for broadcast technicians is $53,920, but earnings vary significantly by location. Several states stand out for higher median salaries, including New York at $78,840, Colorado at $74,040, and California at $72,800. Washington also offers a median of $62,070, while Massachusetts is closer to the national figure at $47,260. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro reports a median salary of $96,820, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro is at $77,790. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria offers $75,010, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offers $65,300. These differences suggest that geographic choice can have a substantial impact on earnings. Job seekers able to relocate or target higher-paying metros and states may access stronger earning potential, while others may prioritize roles that balance pay with local cost of living and personal considerations.
Nationally, broadcast technicians have employment of about 25,000, with projected employment growth of -2.8%. This indicates a modest projected decline in overall employment levels. However, there are still 2,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing hiring needs despite the negative growth rate. These openings are likely tied to factors such as workforce turnover and movement within the occupation. The same projected growth rate of -2.8% appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a relatively consistent national pattern rather than strong regional differences in growth expectations. For career planning, this means that the field may not be expanding overall, but opportunities continue to arise for new entrants and career changers. Positioning yourself with the core skills emphasized for this occupation—such as computers and information technology, mechanical abilities, and problem solving—can help you compete effectively for the openings that do become available in your target locations.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for broadcast technicians, with some states and metros standing out. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, all above 65. New York combines this with a median salary of $78,840 and employment of 1,690. California shows a median salary of $72,800 and employment of 2,340, while Massachusetts has a lower median salary of $47,260 but still a high opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington offer mid-60s and low-70s median salaries, with moderate employment levels. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro leads with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $96,820. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont also ranks highly, with a 68.75 opportunity score and a $77,790 median salary. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offer solid combinations of employment, pay, and opportunity scores for those targeting urban markets.
The typical education for broadcast technicians is an associate's degree, which indicates that many roles can be accessed without a bachelor's degree. This level of education aligns with the occupation’s emphasis on applied technical skills. Success in this field depends heavily on comfort with computers and information technology, along with mechanical skills and fine motor abilities. These skills support working with equipment, systems, and detailed technical tasks. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and being detail oriented are also central to handling complex technical issues accurately. Project management skills suggest that technicians may coordinate tasks or small projects, while adaptability helps in responding to changing conditions or technologies. Creativity and innovation, along with leadership, can be valuable for those who want to advance or take on more responsibility. For students and career changers, focusing education and training on these skill areas can help build a strong foundation for entering and progressing in this occupation.
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