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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Broadcast Technicians

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 27-4012.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
  • Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.

What it pays

$46,480
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $28,670
Experienced workers reach $77,620
  1. $29k10th
  2. $36k25th
  3. $46kMedian
  4. $64k75th
  5. $78k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $28,670, 25th $35,950, Median $46,480, 75th $63,900, 90th $77,620

About 70 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+6.6%

employment change in the Alamo region, 106 to 113 jobs · U.S. -3%

9

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 1,800

106

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 24,800

Typical entry education: Associate's degree · Training: Short-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Critical Thinking3.4
  2. Active Listening3.6
  3. Monitoring3.6
  4. Operations Monitoring3.6
  5. Complex Problem Solving3.3
  6. Writing3.1
  7. Reading Comprehension3.6
  8. Speaking3.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less17%
  2. Certificate10%
  3. Some college27%
  4. Associate degree43%
  5. Bachelor's degree2%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • San Antonio
  1. Radio-TV-Film

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

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