Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Broadcast Technicians

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.

Also called: Audio Engineer, Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Maintenance Engineer, Broadcast Operations Engineer, Broadcast Operations Technician (Broadcast Ops Tech)

Median pay in Greater Boston
$49,590
$23.84/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
390
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−3.3%
40 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree
plus Short-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$37,220$39,950$49,590$74,130$103,780

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
  • Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure44 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 50
  • Language-model AIOE 45
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 38

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is moderate, and observed AI use is little or none so far. AI tools may help with running automated programming and watching signal quality, which could let technicians cover more work onsite and remotely. Federal projections expect fewer of these jobs, and Massachusetts is projected to decline 3.3% from 2024 to 2034. Fixing equipment and talking with station staff still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Playing and recording programs with automation
  • Monitoring signal strength and clarity

Still relies on people

  • Making emergency equipment repairs
  • Talking with station staff about levels

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as technology including artificial intelligence (AI) allow technicians to perform more activities onsite and in remote locations.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

    Working with electronic equipment, cameras, and wiring carries over. It pays a Boston median of $78,560 with moderate on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$28,970 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Electricians

    Your skill with electronic equipment and networks helps here. Electricians earn a $79,910 median, with 11.6% growth, and train through an apprenticeship.

    Pay difference
    +$30,320 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +11.6%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

    Monitoring and testing signals carries over to testing lines and cables. Pay is a $103,090 median, with long-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$53,500 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +0.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

1 program near Boston

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach