How much does a broadcast technician make?
The median broadcast technician in the United States earns $59,570 per year, about $28.64 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all broadcast technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-4012.
Broadcast technician salary range
Pay for broadcast technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,390 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $123,670. The average (mean) wage of $67,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $15.09 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,320 | $19.38 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,570 | $28.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,520 | $40.16 | |
| 90th percentile | $123,670 | $59.46 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for broadcast technicians (SOC 27-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Broadcast technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Broadcast technicians earn the most in District of Columbia at $108,270 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $27,310. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $108,270 | 290 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,470 | 950 |
| New York | $78,840 | 1,690 |
| Illinois | $74,210 | 690 |
| Colorado | $74,040 | 820 |
| Nevada | $73,070 | 280 |
| Arizona | $73,040 | 530 |
| California | $72,800 | 2,340 |
| Florida | $64,950 | 1,130 |
| Maryland | $64,030 | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $62,400 | 410 |
| Washington | $62,070 | 270 |
| Connecticut | $58,930 | 700 |
| Virginia | $57,940 | 710 |
| Maine | $55,110 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $49,990 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $49,580 | 110 |
| Texas | $49,440 | 1,380 |
| Hawaii | $49,200 | 70 |
| Ohio | $48,720 | 430 |
| North Dakota | $48,090 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $47,780 | 580 |
| Michigan | $47,730 | 580 |
| Georgia | $47,340 | 440 |
| Tennessee | $47,340 | 400 |
| Alabama | $47,290 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $47,260 | 560 |
| South Carolina | $46,860 | 210 |
| Iowa | $46,820 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $46,790 | 330 |
| Montana | $46,600 | 60 |
| Idaho | $44,730 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $44,530 | 240 |
| Louisiana | $44,440 | 120 |
| Oregon | $44,420 | 220 |
| Indiana | $44,400 | 760 |
| Nebraska | $43,680 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $41,870 | 220 |
| Kansas | $41,600 | 90 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $40,240 | 230 |
| Wyoming | $39,380 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $32,150 | 40 |
| Utah | $31,490 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $27,750 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $27,310 | 120 |
State median wages for broadcast technicians (SOC 27-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for broadcast technicians
The BLS projects employment of broadcast technicians to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 24,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 23,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for broadcast technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a broadcast technician
The typical entry-level education for broadcast technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a broadcast technician earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $108,270) and the lowest (West Virginia, $27,310) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 21,110 people work as broadcast technicians in the United States. At $59,570 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Broadcast technician salary FAQ
How much does a broadcast technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a broadcast technician is $28.64. The middle half of broadcast technicians earn between $19.38 and $40.16 per hour.
What is the highest broadcast technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of broadcast technicians earn more than $123,670 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a broadcast technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a broadcast technician is $59,570. The average (mean) wage of $67,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a broadcast technician a well paid job?
At $59,570 a year, a broadcast technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 21,110 people work as broadcast technicians in the United States.
Which state pays broadcast technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for broadcast technicians at $108,270 a year. New Hampshire ($81,150) and Pennsylvania ($80,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a broadcast technician a good career?
Employment of broadcast technicians is projected to shrink 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a broadcast technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for broadcast technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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