Television Engineering Technician Salary

Television engineering technicians ensure that programs are aired on time.

There is fierce competition among television networks and stations in the U.S. Television engineering technicians help ensure the quality of broadcasts, including color tone, contrast and sound. These professionals operate many cables and electrical wires which keeps broadcasts running smoothly. They usually have associate's or bachelor's degrees in broadcasting, communications or a related field. They typically earn annual salaries.

Average Salary and Benefits

Television engineering technicians earned average annual salaries of $41,170, according to a May 2010 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Their salaries vary based on experience, the size and budgets of their departments, and the geographical areas in which they work. Like other workers, television engineering technicians may receive benefits like medical and life insurance, paid holidays and vacations and retirement savings plans.

Salary by State

Salaries for television engineering technicians vary by state. For example, those in the District of Columbia earned the highest annual salaries at $63,950 as of 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also earned above-average salaries in California, Massachusetts and New Hampshire at $47,580, $47,510 and $46,670 per year, respectively. These workers made closer to average salaries in Texas at $40,250 annually. Those in North Dakota and Florida earned salaries significantly below the national average at $33,340 and $32,960 per year, respectively.

Salary by Metropolitan Area

Television engineering technicians earned some of their highest annual salaries in the Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey metropolitan area, at $59,690, according to information from the BLS. They also earned relatively high salaries in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusetts area, at $50,030. Those in the Bowling Green, Kentucky, earned slightly less, at $49,290 per year. And these workers earned salaries well below the national average in the Odessa, Texas and Albany, Georgia metropolitan areas, at $25,080 and $23,750 per year, respectively.

Job Outlook

Jobs for those in the broadcast industry, including television engineering technicians, are only expected to increase 2 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to a December 2009 report from the BLS. Most of the job growth will occur among cable television stations. New technology will affect the work of these professionals, therefore those who learn how to use the new equipment stand the best chance of finding employment.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators; December 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics: Broadcast Technicians; May 2010
• JobDescriptions.net: Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician Job Description & Career Opportunities