Broadcast Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Broadcast Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $96,060 a year ($46.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,180 for the top 10%. That is 61% higher than the national median of $59,570. Pay here is 29% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $74,210. There are 0.12 broadcast technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,530, close to the median.
Pay range for broadcast technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| Median | $96,060 | $46.19 |
| 75th percentile | $103,820 | $49.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,180 | $62.11 |
| Average (mean) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
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 | $8,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,002.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,694.62 |
| Weekly | $1,847.31 |
| Hourly | $46.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Broadcast Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,300 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,650 | 90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $46,290 | 400 |
| Bloomington, IN | $40,950 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $40,290 | n/a |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $40,240 | 60 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $37,980 | 70 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $37,290 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for broadcast technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $108,270 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,470 |
| New York | $78,840 |
| Illinois | $74,210 |
| Colorado | $74,040 |
| Nevada | $73,070 |
| Arizona | $73,040 |
| California | $72,800 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
See Broadcast Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Photographer | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,140 | $35.17 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Lighting Technician | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for broadcast technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $96,060 a year, or $46.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid broadcast technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of broadcast technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $129,180 a year. The top 25% earn $103,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for broadcast technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,140 a year, and a quarter of broadcast technicians earn $47,540 or less.
How many broadcast technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 520 broadcast technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.