Broadcast Technicians

(NOC 5224)

in All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Broadcast technicians install, set up, test, operate and repair electronic equipment used to record and transmit live and taped radio and television programs and to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet. They work for radio and television broadcasting networks and stations, by broadcast equipment companies and by Internet-based communication providers.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

  • Estimate 840 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$61,752

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Broadcast technicians install, set up, test, operate and repair electronic equipment used to record and transmit live and taped radio and television programs and to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet. They work for radio and television broadcasting networks and stations, by broadcast equipment companies and by Internet-based communication providers.

Job duties

Broadcast technicians:

  • Monitor broadcast quality of live and taped radio and television programs.
  • Use and monitor radio and television broadcasting systems to broadcast, receive signals and to regulate clarity and range of sounds and colours of recordings or broadcasts.
  • Use broadcast equipment to produce audio and video streaming broadcasts for the Internet.
  • Make emergency repairs to equipment and substitute programs in case of signal failure.
  • Maintain, install, and troubleshoot a wide variety of broadcast hardware and software.
  • Set up and use consoles to pick up and select feed sources from different locations and to air radio or television programs and commercials.
  • May supervise other broadcast technicians.

Sample job titles

  • broadcast engineer
  • broadcast maintenance technician
  • broadcasting technician
  • broadcasting transmitter operator
  • mobile broadcasting equipment installer
  • mobile radio broadcasting supervisor
  • transmission studio control operator
  • transmitter operator
  • video transmission operator

Skills

  • This work requires attention to detail, quick response to problems, and the ability to improvise with equipment and techniques.

Job requirements

  • A college program in broadcast technology or electronics is usually required.

Other considerations

  • Senior and supervisory positions in this group require experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

75

employed in 2016

73.3%

employed full-time

13.3%

self employed

26.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
73.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
54.2

median age

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

53.3%

employed full-time

29.3%

self employed

55.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

57.1%

Halifax

$61,767 median annual income
28.6%

North Shore

N/A
14.3%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

69.2%

Information and cultural industries

15.4%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

15.4%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

21.0%

45-54

14.0%

15-24

14.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

29.7%

15-24

15.9%

35-44

15.7%

45-54

15.4%

25-34

14.9%

55-64

Top levels of education

46.7%

College Diploma

$72,920 median annual income
26.7%

Bachelor

N/A
13.3%

Less than high school

N/A
13.3%

Diploma Above Bachelor

N/A
13.3%

High school

N/A

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

26.4%

Bachelor

$17,829 median annual income
24.9%

High school

$7,552 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$22,120 median annual income
13.7%

Less than high school

$2,922 median annual income
7.9%

Master

$36,173 median annual income

Education & training

Communications Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare individuals to function as workers and managers within communications industries. They include courses in business economics, basic management, principles of interpersonal and mediated communications, radio, television, and digital media production, and related aspects of technology and communications systems.

Institutions providing this program

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

Organizational Communication

College or University Program

These programs focus on general communication processes and dynamics within organizations. They include courses in developing and maintaining interpersonal group relations within organizations, decision-making and conflict management, using symbols to create and maintain organizational images, missions, and values, power and politics within organizations, human interaction with computer technology, and how communications socialize and support employees and team members.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Radio and Television

College or University Program

These programs focus on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages and prepares students to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. They include courses in media aesthetics, planning, scheduling, and production, writing and editing, performing and directing, personnel and facilities management, marketing and distribution, media regulations, law, and policy, and principles of broadcast technology.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Recording Arts Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs apply technical knowledge and skills to producing sound recordings as finished products or as parts of film/video, broadcast, live, or mixed media productions. They include courses in sound equipment operation and maintenance, music, dialogue, and sound effects recording, sound track editing, dubbing and mixing, sound engineering, tape, disk, and CD production, digital recording and transmission, amplification and modulation, and working with producers, editors, directors, artists, and production managers.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.