Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
set up, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical
and electronic equipment involved in almost any radio or television
broadcast, concert, play, musical recording, television show,
or movie. With such a range of work, there are many specialized
occupations within the field.
Audio and video equipment technicians set up and operate
audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers,
video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment,
connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and
related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events,
meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences.
They also may set up and operate associated spotlights and
other custom lighting systems.
Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain
equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and
range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts.
These technicians also operate control panels to select the
source of the material. Technicians may switch from one camera
or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from
network to local programming.
Sound engineering technicians operate machines and
equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music,
voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas,
theater productions, or movie and video productions.
Radio operators mainly receive and transmit communications
using a variety of tools. These workers also repair equipment,
using such devices as electronic testing equipment, handtools,
and power tools. One of their major duties is to help to maintain
communication systems in good condition.
The transition to digital recording, editing, and broadcasting
has greatly changed the work of broadcast and sound engineering
technicians and radio operators. Software on desktop computers
has replaced specialized electronic equipment in many recording
and editing functions. Most radio and television stations
have replaced videotapes and audiotapes with computer hard
drives and other computer data storage systems. Computer networks
linked to specialized equipment dominate modern broadcasting.
This transition has forced technicians to learn computer networking
and software skills. (See the statement on computer support
specialists and systems administrators elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
perform a variety of duties in small stations. In large stations
and at the networks, technicians are more specialized, although
job assignments may change from day to day. The terms “operator,”
“engineer,” and “technician” often are used interchangeably
to describe these jobs. Workers in these positions may
monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters;
set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting
equipment; and regulate fidelity, brightness, contrast, volume,
and sound quality of television broadcasts.
Technicians also work in program production. Recording
engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording
equipment. They may operate equipment designed to produce
special effects, such as the illusions of a bolt of lightning
or a police siren. Sound mixers or re-recording
mixers produce soundtracks for movies or television programs.
After filming or recording is complete, these workers may
use a process called “dubbing” to insert sounds. Field
technicians set up and operate portable transmission equipment
outside the studio. Because television news coverage requires
so much electronic equipment and the technology is changing
so rapidly, many stations assign technicians exclusively to
news.
Chief engineers, transmission engineers, and
broadcast field supervisors oversee other technicians
and maintain broadcasting equipment.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However,
those who broadcast news and other programs from locations
outside the studio may work outdoors in all types of weather.
Technicians doing maintenance may climb poles or antenna towers,
while those setting up equipment do heavy lifting.
Technicians at large stations and the networks usually work
a 40-hour week under great pressure to meet broadcast deadlines,
and may occasionally work overtime. Technicians at small stations
routinely work more than 40 hours a week. Evening, weekend,
and holiday work is usual because most stations are on the
air 18 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even though a technician
may not be on duty when the station is broadcasting, some
technicians may be on call during nonwork hours; these workers
must handle any problems that occur when they are on call.
Technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight
schedule and may work long hours to meet contractual deadlines.
| Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement |
The best way to prepare for a broadcast and sound engineering
technician job is to obtain technical school, community college,
or college training in broadcast technology, electronics,
or computer networking. In the motion picture industry, people
are hired as apprentice editorial assistants and work their
way up to more skilled jobs. Employers in the motion picture
industry usually hire experienced freelance technicians on
a picture-by-picture basis. Reputation and determination are
important in getting jobs.
When starting out, broadcast and sound engineering technicians
learn skills on the job from experienced technicians and supervisors.
These beginners often start their careers in small stations
and, once experienced, move on to larger ones. Large stations
usually hire only technicians with experience. Experienced
technicians can become supervisory technicians or chief engineers.
A college degree in engineering is needed in order to become
chief engineer at a large television station. Many employers
pay tuition and expenses for courses or seminars to help technicians
keep abreast of developments in the field.
Audio and video equipment technicians generally need a high
school diploma. Many recent entrants have a community college
degree or other forms of postsecondary degrees, although they
are not always required. These technicians may substitute
on-the-job training for formal education requirements. Working
in a studio as an assistant is a great way of gaining experience
and knowledge.
Radio operators usually are not required to complete any
formal training. This is an entry-level position that generally
requires on-the-job training.
Licensing is not required for broadcast technicians. However,
certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers is a mark
of competence and experience. The certificate is issued to
experienced technicians who pass an examination.
Prospective technicians should take high school courses in
math, physics, and electronics. Building electronic equipment
from hobby kits and operating a “ham,” or amateur, radio are
good experience, as is working in college radio and television
stations.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
must have manual dexterity and an aptitude for working with
electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
held about 95,000 jobs in 2004. Their employment was distributed
among the following detailed occupations:
| Audio and video equipment technicians |
46,000 |
| Broadcast technicians |
34,000 |
| Sound engineering technicians |
13,000 |
| Radio operators |
2,000 |
About 30 percent worked in broadcasting (except Internet)
and 17 percent worked in the motion picture, video, and sound
recording industries. About 7 percent were self-employed.
Television stations employ, on average, many more technicians
than radio stations. Some technicians are employed in other
industries, producing employee communications, sales, and
training programs. Technician jobs in television and radio
are located in virtually all cities; jobs in radio also are
found in many small towns. The highest paying and most specialized
jobs are concentrated in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago,
and Washington, DC—the originating centers for most network
or news programs. Motion picture production jobs are concentrated
in Los Angeles and New York City.
People seeking entry-level jobs as technicians in broadcasting
are expected to face keen competition in major metropolitan
areas, where pay generally is higher and the number of qualified
jobseekers typically exceeds the number of openings. Prospects
for entry-level positions are expected to be better in small
cities and towns for beginners with appropriate training.
Overall employment of broadcast and sound engineering technicians
and radio operators is expected to grow about as fast as average
for all occupations through the year 2014. Job growth in radio
and television broadcasting will be limited by consolidation
of ownership of radio and television stations and by labor-saving
technical advances, such as computer-controlled programming
and remotely controlled transmitters. The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) is required to examine its media ownership
rules quadrennially. Thus, the rules can change periodically.
In 2005, FCC regulations stated that a single owner could
own up to eight radio stations in a single large market and
that a single owner could not own television stations that
would reach more than 39 percent of households. Revisions
to these rules have been passed by the FCC, but have not been
implemented because of legal challenges. When broader common
ownership is allowed, stations often are consolidated and
operated from a single location, reducing employment because
one or a few technicians can provide support to multiple stations.
Technicians who know how to install transmitters will be in
demand as television stations install digital transmitters.
Although most television stations are broadcasting in both
analog and digital formats and plan to switch entirely to
digital, radio stations are only beginning to broadcast digital
signals.
Employment of broadcast and sound engineering technicians
in the cable and pay television portion of the broadcasting
industry is expected to grow as the range of products and
services expands, including cable Internet access and video-on-demand.
Employment of these workers in the motion picture industry
is expected to grow rapidly. However, job prospects are expected
to remain competitive because of the large number of people
who are attracted by the glamour of working in motion pictures.
Projected job growth varies among detailed occupations in
this field. Employment of audio and video equipment technicians
and sound engineering technicians is expected to grow faster
than the average for all occupations. Not only will these
workers have to set up audio and video equipment, but they
will have to maintain and repair it as well. Employment of
broadcast technicians is expected to grow about as fast as
the average for all occupations through 2014, as advancements
in technology enhance the capabilities of technicians to produce
higher quality radio and television programming. Employment
of radio operators, on the other hand, is projected to decline
as more stations control programming and operate transmitters
remotely.
In addition to employment growth, job openings also will
result from the need to replace experienced technicians who
leave this field. Some of these workers leave for other jobs
that require knowledge of electronics, such as computer repairer
or industrial machinery repairer.
Television stations usually pay higher salaries than radio
stations; commercial broadcasting usually pays more than public
broadcasting; and stations in large markets pay more than
those in small markets.
Median annual earnings of audio and video equipment technicians
in May 2004 were $32,570. The middle 50 percent earned between
$24,180 and $44,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$19,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,620.
Median annual earnings in motion picture and video industries,
which employed the largest number of audio and video equipment
technicians, were $33,670.
Median annual earnings of broadcast technicians in May 2004
were $28,010. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,240
and $42,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,960,
and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,850. Median
annual earnings in radio and television broadcasting, which
employed the largest number of broadcast technicians, were
$25,220.
Median annual earnings of sound engineering technicians in
May 2004 were $38,110. The middle 50 percent earned between
$25,470 and $56,320. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$19,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,450.
Median annual earnings of radio operators in May 2004 were
$32,720. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,960 and
$43,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,960, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,420
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
need the electronics training necessary to operate technical
equipment, and they generally complete specialized postsecondary
programs. Occupations with similar characteristics include
engineering technicians, science technicians, and electrical
and electronics installers and repairers. Broadcast and sound
engineering technicians also may operate computer networks,
as do computer support specialists and systems administrators.
Broadcast technicians on some live radio and television programs
screen incoming calls; these workers have responsibilities
similar to those of communications equipment operators.
| Sources of Additional Information |
For career information and links to employment resources,
contact:
- National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N St. NW.,
Washington, DC 20036. Internet: http://www.nab.org/
-
-
Source: Bureau
of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2006-07 Edition,
