Is Radio and Television Broadcasting and Communications Equipment a Good Career Path?

Last Updated on August 24, 2023

Nowadays, digital media are booming, and radio and television continue to be mainstays in the media industry, finding more ways to keep up with their newer peers. This is why broadcasting and communications equipment are still in demand worldwide. If you are interested in learning how to operate them, you have plenty of career options to choose from. Here are some of the top jobs you might not know about:

Table of Contents

What Are the Best Jobs in Broadcasting and Communications Equipment?

Broadcast Engineer

Broadcast engineers are vital to the radio and television industries, and even new media. They’re in charge of keeping scheduled broadcasts running, setting up live broadcasts in the field or studio, maintaining and updating broadcasting hardware and software, and addressing broadcasting problems on and off the air.

Becoming a broadcast engineer typically requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, broadcast/communications technology. Technical skills required include: digital signal processing, broadcast systems, and computer systems. There are also many certifications available that can help you secure a job as a broadcast engineer:

Certified radio operator
Certified television operator
Certified broadcast networking technologist
Certified broadcast networking engineer
Certified audio engineer
Certified video engineer

Radio Frequency Engineer

Radio frequency engineers design, develop, and maintain devices that operate using radio waves. Their daily tasks include working with other media engineers to make or improve technology for wireless devices. To get a job as a radio frequency engineer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. There are also several certifications that you can obtain to get an edge in this field:

Certified RF engineer
Certified Wireless Network Professional
Certified Wireless Technology Specialist
Certified Wireless Analysis Professional
Certified Radio Frequency Professional
Certified Radio Frequency Technician

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers handle the technological aspects of manipulating, recording, and reproducing audio. This includes applying electronic, digital, acoustic, and electrical principles for the smooth and quality production of music, voices, and sounds. These go beyond radio and television and are useful even for other types of media like film, live theater, and streaming. To find a job as an audio engineer, you would need at least a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering, music production and engineering, and sound design. Earning a certificate or taking a specialization course related to these may also be an option.

Video Engineer

As part of the technical team, video engineers are in charge of ensuring that all video recording equipment operates well and captures high-quality video and sound. Like audio engineers, video engineers are also highly in demand in film, art productions, theaters, and universities. As videography experts, video engineers also often work with directors, lighting designers, and other people who work in video and sound production. If you’re interested in a career as a video engineer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, photography, communication, electrical engineering technology, audiovisual systems engineering, or sound and image engineering. There are also certifications that can give you an advantage when applying for jobs as a video engineer:

Certified Video Engineer
Certified Video Production Technician
Certified Video System Designer
Adobe Certified Expert in Premiere Pro
Apple Certified Pro – Final Cut Pro X
Avid Certified User in Media Composer

Communications Technician

Communications technicians have a wide range of expertise. They take care of maintaining and repairing telecommunications equipment for phones, radio, and the internet. Communications technicians’ daily tasks typically include doing routine inspections of telecommunications equipment, troubleshooting them, and replacing faulty components. Because of their wide range of expertise, communications technicians can find jobs not just in radio and TV, but also in recording studios, cell phone companies, and telecommunications companies.

To get this job, you would need a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, computer technology, electronics, or any similar field. There are also certifications that you can explore:

Telecommunications Technician Certification
Certified Telecommunications Network Specialist
Cisco Certified Network Associate
CompTIA Network+ Certification
Certified Wireless Network Professional
Certified Fiber Optic Technician

Why Choose Radio and Television Broadcasting and Communications Equipment as a Career?

Radio and television broadcasting and communications offer a lot of opportunities for people seeking engineering or technology-related jobs, and it’s an ever-evolving field that is versatile and can be applicable to almost any kind of media. Building your expertise in this field will not go to waste, because it evolves along with new technological trends and consumer demands. Still undecided? Here are some things that can help you get a better idea.

What Are the Opportunities in Radio and Television Broadcasting and Communications Equipment?

There are several factors that indicate that careers in radio and television broadcasting will continue to grow and remain strong.

Technology Advancements: As technology evolves, the need for skilled professionals who can navigate and manage cutting-edge equipment continues to grow. So, engineers and technicians, as long as they can keep up with new trends in broadcasting and communications equipment, will continue to be top performers in this field.
Global Connectivity: The need for more interconnectedness around the globe drives the demand for professionals who can maintain and expand communication networks. This means that companies will continue to invest in broadcasting and communications equipment.
Content Creation: Nowadays, there is a constant stream of content from various media platforms, creating opportunities not just for media practitioners but also for content creators and independent journalists. Therefore, more and more people will require technical expertise in broadcasting and communications equipment.
Emerging Technologies: New technologies like 5G, satellite internet, augmented reality, and AI offer exciting opportunities for those in the communications equipment field. Investing time and resources in learning about new trends will help you keep up with these latest technological advancements.
Media Consumption: Despite the rise of digital media, radio and television continue to be among the top sources of information and entertainment across the globe, and this ensures that there is a continuing need for professionals in this field.

How Much Do You Get Paid?

Much like other jobs, the compensation in this field is influenced by various factors such as experience, location, education, the size of the company, and the specific role. Here are the average salaries per role:

Broadcast Engineers

Starting salary: $45,000 to $55,000
Late career salary: $70,000 to $100,000

Radio Frequency Engineers

Starting salary: $60,000 to $80,000
Late career salary: $100,000 to $150,000

Audio Engineers

Starting salary: $40,000 to $60,000
Late career salary: $80,000 to $120,000

Video Engineers

Starting salary: $50,000 to $70,000
Late career salary: $80,000 to $130,000

Communications Technicians

Starting salary: $35,000 to $50,000
Late career salary: $50,000 to $70,000

In getting your desired salary range, keep in mind that years of experience, educational attainment and certifications, specializations, and industry demand are some of the factors that can dictate the salary that you will be offered.

What Is the Future of Radio and Television Broadcasting and Communications Equipment?

Along with technological advancements, the growth of streaming and digital media, and the constant and rapid evolution of ICT equipment, the field of radio and television broadcasting and communications continues to expand. There are numerous possibilities for technicians and engineers in this field, especially since they are in charge of working on next-generation technologies and adopting these into existing systems and content. As new technologies emerge, specialists are needed to integrate, troubleshoot, and maintain them.

To ensure job security, consider pursuing relevant degrees and certifications on the latest technologies, building a professional network by attending industry conferences and events, keeping yourself informed about industry developments through publications, websites, and news sources, and specializing in niche areas such as 5G technology, satellite communication, or cybersecurity.

Are you ready to pursue jobs in this field?

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, radio and television broadcasting and communications offer a promising future for those willing to embrace change and innovation. With the right skills and mindset, you will surely succeed in whatever job you take on in this field.