Broadcast Engineer Salary in 2026
Install, operate, and maintain electronic equipment used for radio and television broadcasting.
Median Salary
$59,570
$4,964/mo
Entry Level
$39,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$81,100
experienced
Job Growth
+2%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Broadcast Technicians (SOC 27-4012, the closest published occupation to Broadcast Engineer) at a national median of $59,570 per year (mean $67,960), or $28.64 per hour, with 21,110 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Broadcast Engineer Overview
Install, operate, and maintain electronic equipment used for radio and television broadcasting.
Education
Bachelor's/Associate's
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
21K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$28.64/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,964
Broadcast Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Broadcast Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Broadcast Engineer Salary
$67,000
$5,583/month · $2,577/biweekly · $32.21/hr
Broadcast Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Broadcast Engineer field.
Entry-level Broadcast Engineers earn around $39,700, while the top 10% earn $89,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Broadcast Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $70,000 | +$10,430 |
| New York | $69,000 | +$9,430 |
| Texas | $58,000 | $-1,570 |
| Georgia | $58,000 | $-1,570 |
| Florida | $58,000 | $-1,570 |
Top Paying Cities for Broadcast Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $70,000 | +$10,430 |
| Los Angeles | $67,000 | +$7,430 |
| Miami | $61,000 | +$1,430 |
| Dallas | $60,000 | +$430 |
| Atlanta | $58,000 | $-1,570 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Broadcast Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Broadcast Engineer from entry level to expert.
$39,700
0-2 years
$60,000
3-7 years
$81,100
8-14 years
$97,600
15+ years
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Broadcast Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Broadcast Engineer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Broadcast Engineer in the United States is $59,570 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Broadcast Technicians (SOC 27-4012); the mean is $67,960. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $39,700, senior professionals around $81,100, and top earners at $97,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Broadcast Engineer?
A Broadcast Engineer typically requires a Bachelor's/Associate's with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Broadcast Systems, Signal Processing, IT Networking. Relevant certifications such as SBE Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Broadcast Engineers?
The job market for Broadcast Engineers is projected to grow by 2% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 21K Broadcast Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Broadcast Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Broadcast Engineers include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $70,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Broadcast Engineer salary?
To increase your Broadcast Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Broadcast Systems and Signal Processing. Pursue certifications such as SBE Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $39,700 to $81,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Broadcast Engineer Salary
How we calculate Broadcast Engineer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Broadcast Technicians (SOC 27-4012), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $59,570, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Broadcast Technicians; BLS mean $67,960; BLS hourly median $28.64.
- Entry-level ($39,700) and senior-level ($81,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +2% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 21,110 Broadcast Technicians jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $59,570; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Broadcast Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Broadcast Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Broadcast Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Broadcast Systems, Signal Processing, IT Networking), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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