27 Series · SOC 27-4012

Broadcast Technicians Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$59,570
Median / year
$123,670
Top 10% earn
-2.8%
Growth '23–'33
21,110
US workers

Broadcast Technicians earn a median of $59,570 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $59,570, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $31,390 (10th percentile) to $123,670 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 21,110 US workers. District of Columbia pays the most ($108,270), since pay varies by state and metro area.

27 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Broadcast Technicians earn a median of $59,570, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 48% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media, it ranks #26 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 2.8% by 2033.

$59,570
Median annual wage
Top 52%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#26 of 36
in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
3.9×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: District of Columbia at $108,270. Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Broadcast Technicians (SOC 27-4012) pays a national median of $59,570 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $31,390 at the 10th percentile to $123,670 at the 90th, with a mean of $67,960 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 21,110 Americans work in this occupation across 48 reporting states and 97 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -2.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,800 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Associate's degree and short-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.6 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.5 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. District of Columbia pays the highest state median at $108,270, which is +82% above the national figure. The top metro is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD at $103,180 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 21,110 jobs Median $59,570/yr

Median Salary

$59,570

per year

Median Hourly

$28.64/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$67,960

average

Employment

21,110

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Broadcast Technicians pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$59,570 Bottom 48% higher than 48% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Above this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 27-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Broadcast Technicians; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 24 27-series occupations with growth data, Broadcast Technicians sits on the slower-growing side at -2.8% growth and $59,570 median pay.

Among 24 27-series occupations with growth data, Broadcast Technicians sits on the slower-growing side at -2.8% growth and $59,570 median pay. Scatter plot of 24 data points. $20000$40000$60000$80000$100000$120000 -10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 24 27-series occupations with growth data, Broadcast Technicians sits on the slower-growing side at -2.8% growth and $59,570 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-2.8%

Declining

Annual Openings

1,800

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Associate's degree

On-the-Job Training

Short-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

0.6/100K

Injury Rate

0.5/100

Danger Index

2.3/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Broadcast Technicians roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Critical Thinking 3.8
Active Listening 3.6
Monitoring 3.5
Operations Monitoring 3.5
Writing 3.3
Complex Problem Solving 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Speaking 3.1
Active Learning 3.1
Equipment Maintenance 3.1

Knowledge Areas

Computers and Electronics 4.5
Telecommunications 4.2
Engineering and Technology 3.8
Communications and Media 3.5
English Language 3.5
Design 2.8
Mathematics 2.8
Education and Training 2.7
Mechanical 2.7
Customer and Personal Service 2.5

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • ▸ Monitor and log transmitter readings.
  • ▸ Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • ▸ Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • ▸ Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • ▸ Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
  • ▸ Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
  • ▸ Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
  • ▸ Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary.
  • ▸ Schedule programming or read television programming logs to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$31,390$40,320$59,570$83,520$123,670
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$15.09$19.38$28.64$40.16$59.46
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$31,390

25th Percentile

$40,320

Median

$59,570

75th Percentile

$83,520

90th Percentile

$123,670

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. District of Columbia $108,270 2. New Hampshire $81,150 3. Pennsylvania $80,470 4. New York $78,840 5. Illinois $74,210

Lowest Paying States

44. West Virginia $27,310 45. Mississippi $27,750 46. Utah $31,490 47. Puerto Rico $31,580 48. South Dakota $32,150
View all 48 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 District of Columbia $108,270 +82% above national
2 New Hampshire $81,150 +36% above national
3 Pennsylvania $80,470 +35% above national
4 New York $78,840 +32% above national
5 Illinois $74,210 +25% above national
6 Colorado $74,040 +24% above national
7 Nevada $73,070 +23% above national
8 Arizona $73,040 +23% above national
9 California $72,800 +22% above national
10 Florida $64,950 +9% above national
11 Maryland $64,030 +7% above national
12 Wisconsin $62,400 +5% above national
13 Washington $62,070 +4% above national
14 Connecticut $58,930 1% below national
15 Virginia $57,940 3% below national
16 Maine $55,110 7% below national
17 New Mexico $49,990 16% below national
18 Rhode Island $49,580 17% below national
19 Texas $49,440 17% below national
20 Hawaii $49,200 17% below national
21 Ohio $48,720 18% below national
22 North Dakota $48,090 19% below national
23 North Carolina $47,780 20% below national
24 Michigan $47,730 20% below national
25 Georgia $47,340 21% below national
26 Tennessee $47,340 21% below national
27 Alabama $47,290 21% below national
28 Massachusetts $47,260 21% below national
29 South Carolina $46,860 21% below national
30 Iowa $46,820 21% below national
31 Minnesota $46,790 21% below national
32 Montana $46,600 22% below national
33 Idaho $44,730 25% below national
34 Oklahoma $44,530 25% below national
35 Louisiana $44,440 25% below national
36 Oregon $44,420 25% below national
37 Indiana $44,400 25% below national
38 Nebraska $43,680 27% below national
39 Arkansas $41,870 30% below national
40 Kansas $41,600 30% below national
41 Missouri $41,600 30% below national
42 Kentucky $40,240 32% below national
43 Wyoming $39,380 34% below national
44 South Dakota $32,150 46% below national
45 Puerto Rico $31,580 47% below national
46 Utah $31,490 47% below national
47 Mississippi $27,750 53% below national
48 West Virginia $27,310 54% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $103,180 2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,820 3. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $96,060 4. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $81,640 5. Pittsburgh, PA $81,030

Lowest Paying Metros

93. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $22,110 94. San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $31,580 95. Boise City, ID $36,710 96. Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $36,970 97. South Illinois nonmetropolitan area $37,010
View all 97 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $103,180 +73% above national
2 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,820 +63% above national
3 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $96,060 +61% above national
4 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $81,640 +37% above national
5 Pittsburgh, PA $81,030 +36% above national
6 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $79,520 +33% above national
7 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $78,050 +31% above national
8 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $77,790 +31% above national
9 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $77,550 +30% above national
10 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $75,010 +26% above national
11 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $74,890 +26% above national
12 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $74,760 +25% above national
13 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $74,490 +25% above national
14 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $69,910 +17% above national
15 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $69,740 +17% above national
16 Madison, WI $65,990 +11% above national
17 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $65,300 +10% above national
18 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $64,940 +9% above national
19 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $63,500 +7% above national
20 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $63,370 +6% above national
21 Reno, NV $62,960 +6% above national
22 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $62,750 +5% above national
23 Lansing-East Lansing, MI $62,080 +4% above national
24 Green Bay, WI $61,660 +4% above national
25 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $60,350 +1% above national
26 Toledo, OH $59,570 same as national
27 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $58,410 2% below national
28 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $58,230 2% below national
29 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $57,610 3% below national
30 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $57,600 3% below national
31 Charleston-North Charleston, SC $57,190 4% below national
32 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $57,160 4% below national
33 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $55,880 6% below national
34 Knoxville, TN $55,170 7% below national
35 Portland-South Portland, ME $54,950 8% below national
36 Columbus, OH $54,290 9% below national
37 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $53,650 10% below national
38 Kansas City, MO-KS $53,500 10% below national
39 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $53,170 11% below national
40 Winston-Salem, NC $52,250 12% below national
41 Richmond, VA $52,160 12% below national
42 Columbia, SC $50,920 15% below national
43 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $50,720 15% below national
44 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $50,540 15% below national
45 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $50,110 16% below national
46 Albuquerque, NM $49,990 16% below national
47 Fresno, CA $49,930 16% below national
48 Worcester, MA $49,890 16% below national
49 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $49,590 17% below national
50 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $49,420 17% below national
51 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $49,300 17% below national
52 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $49,290 17% below national
53 Urban Honolulu, HI $49,200 17% below national
54 Tucson, AZ $49,150 17% below national
55 Cleveland, OH $48,750 18% below national
56 St. Louis, MO-IL $48,650 18% below national
57 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $48,540 19% below national
58 Lincoln, NE $48,340 19% below national
59 New Orleans-Metairie, LA $48,180 19% below national
60 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $47,890 20% below national
61 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $47,880 20% below national
62 Raleigh-Cary, NC $47,780 20% below national
63 Birmingham, AL $47,720 20% below national
64 Rochester, NY $47,560 20% below national
65 Savannah, GA $47,340 21% below national
66 New Haven, CT $47,200 21% below national
67 Colorado Springs, CO $47,090 21% below national
68 Fargo, ND-MN $46,480 22% below national
69 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $46,480 22% below national
70 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $46,480 22% below national
71 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $46,290 22% below national
72 Oklahoma City, OK $45,430 24% below national
73 Asheville, NC $45,100 24% below national
74 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $45,020 24% below national
75 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $44,970 25% below national
76 Lexington-Fayette, KY $44,910 25% below national
77 Omaha, NE-IA $44,800 25% below national
78 Jacksonville, FL $44,590 25% below national
79 Syracuse, NY $42,330 29% below national
80 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $41,110 31% below national
81 Wilmington, NC $41,000 31% below national
82 Bloomington, IN $40,950 31% below national
83 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $40,490 32% below national
84 Peoria, IL $40,290 32% below national
85 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $40,240 32% below national
86 El Paso, TX $39,830 33% below national
87 Fort Wayne, IN $37,980 36% below national
88 Eugene-Springfield, OR $37,430 37% below national
89 Wichita, KS $37,430 37% below national
90 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $37,360 37% below national
91 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI $37,290 37% below national
92 Tulsa, OK $37,170 38% below national
93 South Illinois nonmetropolitan area $37,010 38% below national
94 Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $36,970 38% below national
95 Boise City, ID $36,710 38% below national
96 San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $31,580 47% below national
97 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $22,110 63% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 27 (arts design entertainment sports and media) with comparable pay and career paths.

Actors

SOC 27-2011

Art Directors

SOC 27-1011

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

SOC 27-1019

Athletes and Sports Competitors

SOC 27-2021

Audio and Video Technicians

SOC 27-4011
Compare Broadcast Technicians side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Broadcast Technicians make? ▼
The median annual salary for Broadcast Technicians is $59,570 ($28.64/hour). The salary range spans from $31,390 at the 10th percentile to $123,670 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Broadcast Technicians the most? ▼
District of Columbia pays the highest median salary for Broadcast Technicians at $108,270/year, which is +82% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Broadcast Technicians? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Broadcast Technicians is Associate's degree. On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Broadcast Technicians? ▼
Broadcast Technicians has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.6 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.5 per 100 workers.
Is Broadcast Technicians a good career? ▼
Employment for Broadcast Technicians is projected to decline 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 1,800 openings are projected each year.
How does Broadcast Technicians pay vary by state? ▼
Broadcast Technicians salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $108,270/year, while South Dakota pays the least at $32,150/year. BLS data covers 48 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Broadcast Technicians? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Broadcast Technicians is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD at $103,180/year. BLS reports wage data for 97 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Broadcast Technicians pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $83,520/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: District of Columbia leads at $108,270/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.