Broadcast Technician Salary
Broadcast Technicians earn a median $59,570 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What broadcast technicians do
Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.1% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,600
- Self-employed
- 11%
Employment of broadcast technicians is projected to shrink 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Broadcast Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,968
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,693
- Medicare (1.45%)$864
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,044
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,390 | $15.09 | $27,402 |
| 25th percentile | $40,320 | $19.38 | $34,577 |
| Median (50th) | $59,570 | $28.64 | $50,044 |
| 75th percentile | $83,520 | $40.15 | $67,586 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,670 | $59.46 | $95,794 |
Broadcast Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $108,270 | +12.2% | $78,763 | $45,220 – $133,880 | 290 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 | — | $65,919 | $61,350 – $132,880 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,470 | +40.6% | $62,970 | $27,720 – $162,500 | 950 |
| New York | $78,840 | −2.6% | $60,634 | $37,740 – $136,310 | 1,690 |
| Illinois | $74,210 | −1.0% | $57,508 | $35,130 – $128,130 | 690 |
| Colorado | $74,040 | +21.7% | $58,368 | $45,840 – $111,870 | 820 |
| Nevada | $73,070 | +7.6% | $60,235 | $31,330 – $108,610 | 280 |
| Arizona | $73,040 | +15.8% | $58,596 | $38,300 – $132,820 | 530 |
| California | $72,800 | −1.3% | $56,487 | $38,480 – $129,640 | 2,340 |
| Florida | $64,950 | +40.3% | $54,367 | $31,970 – $124,420 | 1,130 |
| Maryland | $64,030 | +8.8% | $50,950 | $35,880 – $122,990 | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $62,400 | +22.8% | $50,354 | $30,020 – $82,400 | 410 |
| Washington | $62,070 | +9.0% | $52,053 | $37,760 – $96,690 | 270 |
| Connecticut | $58,930 | −18.6% | $47,803 | $45,130 – $102,490 | 700 |
| Virginia | $57,940 | +24.7% | $46,217 | $28,430 – $82,510 | 710 |
| Maine | $55,110 | −1.7% | $43,923 | $40,040 – $82,180 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $49,990 | −1.6% | $41,163 | $37,340 – $73,990 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $49,580 | −11.6% | $40,775 | $31,200 – $84,720 | 110 |
| Texas | $49,440 | +9.7% | $41,905 | $29,580 – $97,330 | 1,380 |
| Hawaii | $49,200 | −1.2% | $39,486 | $29,120 – $97,550 | 70 |
| Ohio | $48,720 | +53.4% | $40,769 | $24,960 – $99,800 | 430 |
| North Dakota | $48,090 | +22.9% | $40,820 | $27,040 – $85,850 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $47,780 | +5.2% | $39,174 | $35,000 – $88,460 | 580 |
| Michigan | $47,730 | −0.3% | $38,753 | $28,660 – $86,540 | 580 |
| Georgia | $47,340 | −3.1% | $38,384 | $26,250 – $94,300 | 440 |
| Tennessee | $47,340 | +2.5% | $40,218 | $30,100 – $78,870 | 400 |
| Alabama | $47,290 | +2.5% | $38,078 | $27,680 – $79,410 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $47,260 | −16.5% | $38,010 | $36,370 – $82,920 | 560 |
| South Carolina | $46,860 | −0.9% | $38,178 | $30,630 – $82,010 | 210 |
| Iowa | $46,820 | +25.4% | $38,673 | $23,320 – $79,050 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $46,790 | −12.6% | $38,091 | $32,160 – $80,040 | 330 |
| Montana | $46,600 | −2.6% | $38,190 | $35,890 – $87,140 | 60 |
| Idaho | $44,730 | +35.6% | $36,858 | $24,680 – $109,990 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $44,530 | −2.6% | $36,502 | $20,490 – $97,640 | 240 |
| Louisiana | $44,440 | −6.8% | $36,941 | $28,800 – $77,280 | 120 |
| Oregon | $44,420 | −8.9% | $34,814 | $31,900 – $75,930 | 220 |
| Indiana | $44,400 | +11.2% | $36,575 | $35,410 – $74,260 | 760 |
| Nebraska | $43,680 | +11.6% | $36,169 | $28,080 – $68,430 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $41,870 | +7.2% | $34,402 | $23,760 – $62,580 | 220 |
| Kansas | $41,600 | +11.4% | $34,084 | $21,520 – $130,000 | 90 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | −7.5% | $34,588 | $31,650 – $81,890 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $40,240 | −4.8% | $33,222 | $18,510 – $70,880 | 230 |
| Wyoming | $39,380 | −2.1% | $33,822 | $25,950 – $65,230 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $32,150 | +10.0% | $28,013 | $27,270 – $55,360 | 40 |
| Utah | $31,490 | −8.9% | $27,031 | $22,110 – $81,060 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $27,750 | −30.6% | $24,084 | $23,310 – $63,210 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $27,310 | −8.7% | $23,423 | $21,140 – $60,820 | 120 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Film and Video Editor | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Interpreter and Translator | $60,170 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 | Bachelor's degree | -5.9% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a broadcast technician make?
The national median salary for broadcast technicians is $59,570 a year ($28.64 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,390 and the top 10% earn over $123,670. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays broadcast technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $108,270.
How many broadcast technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 21,110 people work as broadcast technicians nationwide.