Broadcast Technicians
Also called: Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Maintenance Engineer, Control OperatorSet 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 10 of its 27 rated tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 3.1% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 5.2% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Broadcast, sound, and lighting technicians”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.8 hires for every 10 job openings in information, which employs about 82% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.8 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,290 | $37,430 to $62,280 | 220 |
| Arizona | $73,040 | $51,100 to $104,780 | 530 |
| Arkansas | $41,870 | $34,040 to $51,960 | 220 |
| California | $72,800 | $48,060 to $97,430 | 2,340 |
| Colorado | $74,040 | $55,410 to $82,850 | 820 |
| Connecticut | $58,930 | $47,200 to $79,180 | 700 |
| District of Columbia | $108,270 | $64,730 to $129,270 | 290 |
| Florida | $64,950 | $43,830 to $96,960 | 1,130 |
| Georgia | $47,340 | $35,150 to $84,350 | 440 |
| Hawaii | $49,200 | $32,520 to $80,940 | 70 |
| Idaho | $44,730 | $29,550 to $75,580 | 90 |
| Illinois | $74,210 | $39,030 to $103,820 | 690 |
| Indiana | $44,400 | $37,530 to $60,340 | 760 |
| Iowa | $46,820 | $34,560 to $63,950 | 180 |
| Kansas | $41,600 | $25,820 to $78,230 | 90 |
| Kentucky | $40,240 | $20,950 to $46,220 | 230 |
| Louisiana | $44,440 | $34,840 to $60,810 | 120 |
| Maine | $55,110 | $44,040 to $70,430 | 90 |
| Maryland | $64,030 | $49,120 to $81,080 | 460 |
| Massachusetts | $47,260 | $39,810 to $65,400 | 560 |
| Michigan | $47,730 | $31,470 to $69,040 | 580 |
| Minnesota | $46,790 | $35,350 to $61,340 | 330 |
| Mississippi | $27,750 | $24,430 to $53,640 | 60 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | $35,090 to $62,360 | 300 |
| Montana | $46,600 | $39,140 to $56,390 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $43,680 | $29,130 to $57,190 | 160 |
| Nevada | $73,070 | $46,370 to $82,430 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 | $61,350 to $102,790 | 170 |
| New Jersey | not published | not published | 790 |
| New Mexico | $49,990 | $42,750 to $63,550 | 80 |
| New York | $78,840 | $51,010 to $120,040 | 1,690 |
| North Carolina | $47,780 | $41,170 to $64,700 | 580 |
| North Dakota | $48,090 | $35,300 to $64,920 | 80 |
| Ohio | $48,720 | $30,440 to $76,570 | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $44,530 | $29,810 to $73,090 | 240 |
| Oregon | $44,420 | $34,680 to $59,180 | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,470 | $45,460 to $127,520 | 950 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,580 | $25,190 to $38,150 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $49,580 | $43,040 to $64,500 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $46,860 | $37,560 to $64,950 | 210 |
| South Dakota | $32,150 | $28,070 to $47,000 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $47,340 | $30,540 to $61,670 | 400 |
| Texas | $49,440 | $40,420 to $74,470 | 1,380 |
| Utah | $31,490 | $22,110 to $46,510 | 300 |
| Virginia | $57,940 | $41,800 to $62,490 | 710 |
| Washington | $62,070 | $43,890 to $76,020 | 270 |
| West Virginia | $27,310 | $22,030 to $36,040 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $62,400 | $38,580 to $75,290 | 410 |
| Wyoming | $39,380 | $27,640 to $56,240 | 50 |
Nationally: $59,570. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 10 of its 27 rated tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible. | Not published |
| Not much | Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing. | Not published |
| Not much | Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks. | Not published |
| Not much | Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts. | Not published |
| Not much | Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts. | Not published |
| Not much | Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems. | Not published |
See all 28 tasks
| Not much | Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission. | Not published |
| AI + software | Monitor and log transmitter readings. | Not published |
| Not much | Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted. | Not published |
| Not much | Substitute programs in cases where signals fail. | Not published |
| Not much | Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels. | Not published |
| Not much | Design and modify equipment to employer specifications. | Not published |
| Not much | Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations. | Not published |
| Not much | Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio. | Not published |
| Not much | Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary. | Not published |
| AI + software | Determine the number, type, and approximate location of microphones needed for best sound recording or transmission quality, and position them appropriately. | Not published |
| AI + software | Edit broadcast material electronically, using computers. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Organize recording sessions and prepare areas, such as radio booths and television stations, for recording. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission. | Not published |
| AI alone | Instruct trainees in use of television production equipment, filming of events, and copying and editing graphics or sound onto videotape. | Not published |
| AI alone | Schedule programming or read television programming logs to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired. | Not published |
| Not much | Give technical directions to other personnel during filming. | Not published |
| Not much | Discuss production requirements with clients. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content. | Not published |
| Not rated | Develop budgets. | Not published |
| AI + software | Produce graphics for broadcasts. | Not published |
| AI alone | Produce educational and training films and videotapes by performing activities, such as selecting equipment and preparing scripts. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 2 of the 28 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 28 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #23 Prepare informational or instructional materials
- and 1 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate communications equipment or systems | |||
| Operate audiovisual or related equipment | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Monitor equipment operation | |||
| Prepare informational or instructional materials | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Create visual designs or displays |
Show all 21 activities
| Determine operational methods or procedures | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Schedule operational activities | |||
| Manage budgets or finances | |||
| Coordinate artistic or entertainment activities | |||
| Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets | |||
| Notify others of emergencies or problems | |||
| Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures | |||
| Alter audio or video recordings | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Train others on operational or work procedures | |||
| Design electrical or electronic systems or equipment | |||
| Design industrial systems or equipment |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report14%
- A plan or strategy10%
- An image or graphic9%
- A video or animation8%
- An app or website7%
How they worked with Claude
63% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for broadcast technicians specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 27,361 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 2 Producers and Directors High +4.0% 4%
- 3 Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film High +1.3% 3%
- 4 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 2%
- 5 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 2%
Where people moved in from
of 21,790 moves in
- 1 Producers and Directors High +4.0% 4%
- 2 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 4%
- 3 Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film High +1.3% 4%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 5 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 3% less than high school
- 18% high school
- 27% some college
- 11% associate's
- 33% bachelor's
- 7% master's
- 1% professional degree
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Broadcast, sound, and lighting technicians” · 1,307 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Broadcast, sound, and lighting technicians”
3 programs: Communications Technology/Technician, Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician and Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 2 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (Audio Operator; FIELD ENGINEER (Radio & TV)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Broadcast Technicians” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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