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Broadcast Technician

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AVG. SALARY

$40,020

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EDUCATION

Associate's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Broadcast Technicians Career Video

About This Career

Sets up, operates, and maintains the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Controls and adjusts incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operates satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Reports equipment problems, ensures that repairs are made, and makes emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Monitors and logs transmitter readings.
  • Monitors strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjusts equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Maintains programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Observes monitors and converses with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Previews scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
  • Plays and records broadcast programs, using automation systems.
  • Sets up, operates, and maintains broadcast station computers and networks.
  • Selects sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.
  • Installs broadcast equipment, troubleshoots equipment problems, and performs maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Audio Engineer — Records, edits and mixes real audio sound in the studio and works with singers, arrangers, musicians, record producers, and artists' management, to try and create the best sound possible.
  • Board Operator
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Broadcast Maintenance Engineer
  • Broadcast Operations Engineer
  • Control Operator
  • Production Engineer

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


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