by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Radio & Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician involves the study of Radio And Television Broadcasting Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Production Of Radio And Television Programs, And Related Operations, Under The Supervision Of Broadcast And Studio Managers, Directors, Editors, And Producers. Includes Instruction In Sound, Lighting, And Camera Operation And Maintenance; Power And Feed Control; Studio Operations; Production Preparation; Broadcast Engineering; Related Computer Applications; And Specialized Applications Such As News, Entertainment, Live Talk, Sports, Commercials, And Taping. Read on to learn the key facts every radio & television broadcasting technology/technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering radio & television broadcasting technology/technician programs.
Across the country, radio & television broadcasting technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 1,515 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Radio & Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 85 schools to determine the best overall colleges for radio & television broadcasting technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of radio & television broadcasting technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Radio & Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations radio & television broadcasting technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a radio & television broadcasting technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a radio & television broadcasting technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several radio & television broadcasting technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 155 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 498 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 460 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 402 |
People currently working in careers related to radio & television broadcasting technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 30.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 16.8% |
| Some college courses | 9.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
| Master’s degree | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in radio & television broadcasting technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in radio & television broadcasting technology/technician opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to radio & television broadcasting technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to radio & television broadcasting technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Broadcast Technicians | 117,697 | 3.5% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | 107,517 | 10.9% |
| Lighting Technicians | 99,715 | 13.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of radio & television broadcasting technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $20,139 |
| 4 years | $28,273 |
| 5 years | $32,523 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for radio & television broadcasting technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers radio & television broadcasting technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $92,043 |
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,153 |
| Lighting Technicians | $45,092 |
With 85 different radio & television broadcasting technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased radio & television broadcasting technology/technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in radio & television broadcasting technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Recording Arts Technology/Technician | 3,658 |
| Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician | 1,287 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other | 684 |
| Voice Writing Technology/Technician | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
