Broadcast Technician salary in the U.S.
Broadcast Technicians in the U.S. earn a median of $59,570 a year ($28.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,670 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $67,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for broadcast technicians in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| 25th percentile | $40,320 | $19.38 |
| Median | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| 75th percentile | $83,520 | $40.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,670 | $59.46 |
| Average (mean) | $67,960 | $32.68 |
Half of broadcast technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,291.15 |
| Weekly | $1,145.58 |
| Hourly | $28.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Broadcast Technician salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,580 | 130 |
| Utah | $31,490 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $27,750 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $27,310 | 120 |
Best-paying metro areas for broadcast technicians
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $103,180 | 460 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $96,820 | 2,010 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,060 | 520 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $81,640 | 370 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,030 | 160 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $79,520 | 70 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $78,050 | 700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,790 | 540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,550 | 130 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,010 | 710 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $74,890 | 210 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $74,760 | 130 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $74,490 | 510 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $69,910 | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $69,740 | 60 |
Metro areas with the most broadcast technicians
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,010 | $96,820 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 710 | $75,010 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 700 | $78,050 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 540 | $77,790 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 520 | $96,060 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 510 | $74,490 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 490 | $63,500 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 460 | $103,180 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 400 | $46,290 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 390 | $49,590 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 370 | $81,640 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 320 | $49,420 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 290 | $57,600 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 270 | $53,170 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 260 | $60,350 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Photographer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Film and Video Editors | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | $34.00 |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Producers and Directors | $90,360 | $43.44 |
| Editor | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | $32.31 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a broadcast technician make in the U.S.?
The median salary for broadcast technicians in the U.S. is $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid broadcast technicians make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of broadcast technicians in the U.S. earn at least $123,670 a year. The top 25% earn $83,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for broadcast technicians in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,390 a year, and a quarter of broadcast technicians earn $40,320 or less.
How many broadcast technicians work in the U.S.?
About 21,110 broadcast technicians are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.