Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Education Required
Audio and video equipment technicians, as well as sound engineering technicians, typically need a postsecondary nondegree award or certificate, whereas broadcast technicians typically need an associates degree. However, in some cases, workers in any of these occupations may need only a high school diploma to be eligible for entry-level positions.
Training Required
Because technology is constantly improving, technicians often enroll in continuing education courses, and they receive on-the-job training to become skilled in new equipment and hardware. On-the-job training includes setting up cables or automation systems, testing electrical equipment, learning the codes and standards of the industry, and following safety procedures.
Job Outlook
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 8% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.)
Advancement
Although many broadcast and sound engineering technicians work first in small markets or at small stations in big markets, after they gain the necessary experience and skills they often transfer to larger, better paying radio or television stations. Few large stations hire someone without previous experience, and they value more specialized skills.
Licenses/Certifications
Although not required by most employers, earning voluntary certification will offer advantages in getting a job as a broadcast or sound engineering technician. Certification tells employers that the technician meets certain industry standards and has kept up to date with new technologies.
Median pay: How much do Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians make?
$42,550 Annual Salary
$20.46 per hour

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.

What do Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians do?

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians typically do the following:

  • Operate, monitor, and adjust audio, video, lighting, and broadcast equipment to ensure consistent quality
  • Set up and take down equipment for events and live performances
  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording equipment or computers, sometimes using complex software
  • Synchronize sounds and dialogue with action taking place on television or in movie productions
  • Convert video and audio records to digital formats for editing on computers
  • Install audio, video, and lighting equipment in hotels, offices, and schools
  • Report any problems that arise with complex equipment and make routine repairs
  • Keep records of recordings and equipment used

These workers may be called broadcast or sound engineering technicians, operators, or engineers. At smaller radio and television stations, broadcast and sound technicians may do many jobs. At larger stations, they are likely to do more specialized work, although their job assignments may vary from day to day. They set up and operate audio and video equipment, and the kind of equipment they use may depend on the particular type of technician or industry.

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians share many of the same responsibilities, but their duties may vary with their specific area of focus. The following are examples of types of broadcast and sound engineering technicians:

Careers for Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians

  • Audio and video equipment technicians
  • Audio engineers
  • Audio recording engineers
  • Audio-visual production specialists
  • Broadcast engineers
  • Broadcast maintenance engineers
  • Broadcast operations engineers
  • Broadcast technicians
  • Disc recordists
  • Dub room engineers
  • Event AV operators
  • Event crew technicians
  • Film sound engineers
  • Multimedia production assistants
  • Play back operators
  • Public address technicians
  • Radio and television technicians
  • Radio station audio engineers
  • Recording engineers
  • Remote broadcast engineers
  • Sound assistants
  • Sound cutters
  • Sound designers
  • Sound editors
  • Sound effects technicians
  • Sound engineering technicians
  • Telecasting engineers
  • Television audio engineers
  • Video control operators
  • Video equipment technicians
  • Video production assistants

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