Television stations usually pay higher salaries than do radio stations; commercial broadcasting usually pays more than public broadcasting; and stations in large markets pay more than those in small markets.
Median annual earnings of broadcast technicians in 2002 were $27,760. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,860 and $45,200. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,970.
Median annual earnings of sound engineering technicians in 2002 were $36,970. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,330 and $57,350. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,510.
Median annual earnings of audio and video equipment technicians in 2002 were $31,110. The middle 50 percent earned between $22,670 and $43,950. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,420.
Median annual earnings of radio operators in 2002 were $31,530. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,000 and $41,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,340.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators set up, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment involved in almost any radio or television broadcast, concert, play, musical recording, television show, or movie. With such a range of work, there are many specialized occupations within the field.
Audio and video equipment technicians set up and operate audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. They may also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.
Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts. They also operate control panels to select the source of the material. Technicians may switch from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions.
Radio operators mainly receive and transmit communications using a variety of tools. They also are responsible for repairing equipment, using such devices as electronic testing equipment, handtools, and power tools. One of their major duties is to help to maintain communication systems in good condition.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators perform a variety of duties in small stations. In large stations and at the networks, technicians are more specialized, although job assignments may change from day to day. The terms “operator,” “engineer,” and “technician” often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs. Workers in these positions may monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters; set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting equipment; and regulate fidelity, brightness, contrast, volume, and sound quality of television broadcasts. Recording engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording equipment. They may operate equipment designed to produce special effects, such as the illusions of a bolt of lightning or a police siren. Sound mixers or rerecording mixers produce the soundtrack of a movie or television program. After filming or recording is complete, they may use a process called “dubbing” to insert sounds. Field technicians set up and operate portable transmission equipment outside the studio. Television news coverage requires so much electronic equipment, and the technology is changing so rapidly, that many stations assign technicians exclusively to news.
Chief engineers, transmission engineers, and broadcast field supervisors oversee other technicians and maintain broadcasting equipment.
The transition to digital recording, editing, and broadcasting has greatly changed the work of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators. Software on desktop computers has replaced specialized electronic equipment in many recording and editing functions. Most radio and television stations have replaced video and audio tapes with computer hard drives and other computer data storage systems. Computer networks linked to the specialized equipment dominate modern broadcasting. This transition has forced technicians to learn computer networking and software skills. (See the statement on computer support specialists and systems administrators elsewhere in the Handbook.)
.People seeking entry-level jobs as technicians in broadcasting are expected to face strong competition in major metropolitan areas, where pay generally is higher and the number of qualified jobseekers typically exceeds the number of openings. There, stations seek highly experienced personnel. Prospects for entry-level positions usually are better in small cities and towns for beginners with appropriate training.
Overall employment of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Job growth in radio and television broadcasting will be limited by consolidation of ownership of radio and television stations, and by laborsaving technical advances such as computer-controlled programming and remotely controlled transmitters. Changes to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations now allow a single owner for up to eight radio stations in a single large market, and rules changes under consideration may have a similar impact on the ownership of television stations. Owners of multiple stations often consolidate the stations into a single location, reducing employment because one or a few technicians can provide support to multiple stations. Technicians who know how to install transmitters will be in demand as television stations install digital transmitters. Although most television stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital formats and plan to switch entirely to digital, radio stations are only beginning to broadcast digital signals.
Employment of broadcast and sound engineering technicians in the cable and pay television portion of the broadcasting industry should grow as the range of services is expanded to provide, such products as cable Internet access and video-on-demand. Employment of these workers in the motion picture industry will grow rapidly. However, job prospects are expected to remain competitive because of the large number of people who are attracted by the glamour of working in motion pictures.
Projected job growth varies among detailed occupations in this field. Employment of broadcast technicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012, as advancements in technology enhance the capabilities of technicians to produce higher quality radio and television programming. Employment of radio operators is expected to decline as more stations operate transmitters that control programming remotely. Employment of audio and video equipment technicians and sound engineering technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Not only will these workers have to set up audio and video equipment, but it will be necessary for them to maintain and repair this equipment.
In addition to employment growth, job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced technicians who leave this field. Some of these workers leave for other jobs that require knowledge of electronics, such as computer repairer or industrial machinery repairer.
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The best way to prepare for a broadcast and sound engineering technician job is to obtain technical school, community college, or college training in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology. In the motion picture industry, people are hired as apprentice editorial assistants and work their way up to more skilled jobs. Employers in the motion picture industry usually hire experienced freelance technicians on a picture-by-picture basis. Reputation and determination are important in getting jobs.
Beginners learn skills on the job from experienced technicians and supervisors. They often begin their careers in small stations and, once experienced, move on to larger ones. Large stations usually hire only technicians with experience. Many employers pay tuition and expenses for courses or seminars to help technicians keep abreast of developments in the field.
Audio and video equipment technicians generally need a high school diploma. Many recent entrants have a community college degree or various other forms of postsecondary degrees, although that is not always a requirement. They may substitute on-the-job training for formal education requirements. Working in a studio, as an assistant, is a great way of gaining experience and knowledge.
Radio operators do not usually require any formal training. This is an entry-level position that generally requires on-the-job training.
The Federal Communications Commission no longer requires the licensing of broadcast technicians, as the Telecommunications Act of 1996 eliminated this licensing requirement. Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers is a mark of competence and experience. The certificate is issued to experienced technicians who pass an examination.
Prospective technicians should take high school courses in math, physics, and electronics. Building electronic equipment from hobby kits and operating a “ham,” or amateur, radio are good experience, as is work in college radio and television stations.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators must have manual dexterity and an aptitude for working with electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment.
Experienced technicians can become supervisory technicians or chief engineers. A college degree in engineering is needed in order to become chief engineer at a large television station.
.Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators need the electronics training necessary to operate technical equipment, and they generally complete specialized postsecondary programs. Occupations with similar characteristics include engineering technicians, science technicians, and electrical and electronics installers and repairers. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians also may operate computer networks, as do computer support specialists and systems administrators. Broadcast technicians on some live radio and television programs are responsible for screening incoming calls, similar to the work of communications equipment operators.
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These are maintenance technician, operations technician, and engineer. They are responsible for the day-to-day technical quality of the broadcasts. Many technicians, especially in small stations and studios, do both maintenance and operational jobs. Audio control engineers regulate volume and sound quality. Sound mixers produce sound tracks for radio productions.
Summary of: http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/career_prospects/briefs/P-S/RadioBroadcastTechs.shtml
Television stations employ, on average, many more technicians than do radio stations. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. They work with television cameras, microphones, tape recorders, lighting, sound effects, transmitters, antennas, and other equipment. Almost 15 percent worked in the motion picture industry. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,060 and $44,410.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20022003/ocos109.htm
Beginners need formal training in broadcast technology to obtain their first job at a smaller station. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. They work with television cameras, microphones, tape recorders, lighting, sound effects, transmitters, antennas, and other equipment. Some broadcast and sound technicians produce movie sound tracks in motion picture production studios, control the sound of live events, such as concerts, or record music in a recording studio. Broadcast and sound technicians in small stations perform a variety of duties.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/112.htm
These jobs are grouped under the title BROADCAST TECHNICIAN, and are in the engineering department, the nerve center of television stations. These workers operate and maintain electronic equipment used in the production, transmission, or reproduction of voice, sound, and visual images in television programs. Maintenance technicians set up, operate, repair, and maintain the electronic broadcasting equipment. Broadcast Technicians in small stations perform a wider variety of duties than those in large stations and networks, where assignments may be specialized. Stations in such areas seek highly experienced personnel to fill few available openings.
Summary of: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/BROADCAS.HTM
They work with television cameras, microphones, tape recorders, light and sound effects, transmitters, antennas, and other equipment. Some broadcast technicians develop movie sound tracks in motion picture production studios. Technicians may switch from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programs. Broadcast technicians in small stations perform a variety of duties. The terms operator, engineer, and technician often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs.
Summary of: http://www.edonline.com/collegecompass/oohb0123.htm
Technical school, community college, or college training in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology provides the best preparation. About 32 percent work in broadcasting, mainly for radio and television stations, and 16 percent work in the motion picture and sound recording industries. Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts. Technicians at small stations routinely work more than 40 hours a week. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,860 and $45,200.
Summary of: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft28.shtml
Technical school, community college, or college training in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology provides the best preparation. About 32 percent work in broadcasting, mainly for radio and television stations, and 16 percent work in the motion picture and sound recording industries. Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts. Technicians at small stations routinely work more than 40 hours a week. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,860 and $45,200.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos109.htm
As the task of taking pictures has been greatly simplified, the internal workings of even simple cameras have grown increasingly complex with electronic circuitry and precision mechanical parts. THE JOB PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT TECHNICIANS keep cameras, lenses, projectors, and other photographic equipment in good repair. Employed by independent repair shops, equipment manufacturers, or retailers, they dismantle cameras and clean, adjust, and repair all types of photographic equipment. They may also be responsible for maintaining parts inventories by ordering parts and supplies from manufacturers and wholesalers. Some camera stores in outlying communities maintain small repair staffs, sending more difficult work to manufacturer service centers or to larger repair shops.
Summary of: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/PHOTOEQP.HTM
The most qualified individuals will have college or technical institute experience in electronics, broadcasting, or computer networking. Audio and video equipment technicians operate all video and audio equipment. This includes the use of video monitors, projectors, soundboards, recording equipment, microphones, sound speakers, video screens, and all equipment—including lighting setup—for special events. Radio operators work with different equipment to transmit and maintain proper communication systems. In smaller stations, they handle numerous responsibilities while in larger stations tasks tend to be specialized.
Summary of: http://www.careeroverview.com/broadcast-engineering-careers.html
They are in charge of the equipment used to record and broadcast radio and television shows. Technicians install, set up, test, and operate this equipment. When broadcasting shows, they operate equipment that controls the quality of the sound and picture. Before broadcasting a scheduled program, technicians ensure that signals work properly. In small stations, broadcast technicians perform various duties.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100258