Many people dream about working in television, radio, or film. Broadcasting is a job that uses creativity and the best paying jobs in broadcasting are rewarding careers. When most people think of broadcasting they think of news anchors, but you can be a content strategist, news producer, videographer, technical writer, or public relations specialist.
In this career guide, we discuss some of the best-paying broadcasting careers media students can consider. Opportunities in broadcasting are growing due to the rise of social media, and most broadcasting salaries pay more than the US national average salary of $56,310. In this article, we’ll cover the best paying jobs in broadcasting with information on education requirements for these positions. But first, let’s find out what broadcasting jobs pay.
What Do Broadcasting Jobs Pay?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for media and communication workers was $62,340 in May 2021. Broadcasting is a vast field that offers many creative, technical, and management positions, and broadcasting salaries vary according to the type of job and an employee’s experience and education.
Broadcasting Job Outlook
Broadcasting is a promising field to work in with an expected job growth of 14 percent by 2030. Furthermore, BLS projects 151,500 new jobs. One of the reasons why broadcasting careers are growing so fast is the increasing need to create digital content for various channels.
Broadcasting Job Satisfaction
Broadcasting jobs are rewarding and offer a host of benefits including required travel, diverse job tasks, and interesting assignments. However, broadcasting is a fast-paced work environment with strict deadlines. Therefore, some people may struggle with work-life balance. Depending on the job, work hours and schedule can be unpredictable.
Broadcasting Salaries: Lucrative Broadcasting Careers
| Broadcasting Careers | Broadcasting Salaries | Job Outlook | Minimum Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Producer | $79,000 | 24% | Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Cinema Studies, or Communications Technology |
| News Director | $79,000 | 24% | Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Cinema Studies, or Communications Technology |
| Program Director | $79,000 | 24% | Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Cinema Studies, or Communications Technology |
| Technical Writer | $78,060 | 12% | Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism or technical subject you’ll write about |
| Content Strategist | $63,207 | N/A | Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, or Media Studies |
| Public Relation Specialist | $62,800 | 11% | Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations or Communications |
| Video Editor | $62,680 | 29% | Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Broadcasting, or Communications |
| Camera Operator | $60,360 | 29% | Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Broadcasting, or Communications |
| Social Media Manager | $50,088 | N/A | Bachelor’s Degree in Communications |
| Sound Technician | $49,050 | 21% | Associate Degree in Sound Technology or Audio Engineering |
Best-Paying Jobs in Broadcasting: In Detail
Broadcast Producer
Average Salary: $79,000
Broadcast producers monitor the entire production of a TV program or show on any media outlet. Some of their responsibilities include designing show schedules, planning broadcasts of live episodes, and selecting shoot locations. Some broadcast producers also manage advertisements that run during the show.
News Director
Average Salary: $79,000
A news director is responsible for the overall operation of news segments for TV, radio, or other media outlets. They choose the theme, news stories, camera angles, and staff for a news program, and manage a team of journalists and production crew. You need both journalism and management skills to become a news director.
Program Director
Average Salary: $79,000
Program directors supervise programming for a radio station or TV network. They decide what type of programs the network will offer to its audience from season to season. They also make major decisions about budget and staffing. To get a program director role, you’ll need management skills and experience with creating radio or TV programs.
Technical Writer
Average Salary: $78,060
A technical writer in a broadcasting or media company writes technical content for that company. The technical subject varies, but technical writers should use simple language to make complex concepts understandable to a wide audience. Technical writers can work as technology reporters, political correspondents, or science writers.
Content Strategist
Average Salary: $63,207
Content Strategists oversee the content strategy of a media organization or brand. They work with content teams to make sure that the content promotes the company’s vision and mission.
To become a content strategist, you’ll need experience writing and editing compelling stories, and you’ll probably also need a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, journalism, or communications.
Public Relations Specialist
Average Salary: $62,800
A public relations (PR) specialist develops media campaigns and strategies to promote a company. Every broadcasting company or media outlet also has an in-house team of public relations specialists that help them build a positive brand image. You need to have excellent communication and networking skills to work as a PR specialist.
Video Editor
Average Salary: $62,680
Video editors create, edit, and manipulate video content for different channels. Video editors are in high demand because of the growing social media influencer market and entertainment industry. Video editors have to know how to use video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Aspiring video editors can take video editing courses to develop these skills.
Camera Operator
Average Salary: $60,360
Camera operators are responsible for filming video footage used in films, TV shows, or newsrooms. They work directly with a director of photography to make a plan before starting to film. To become a camera operator, you need to learn how to operate technical video-making equipment.
Social Media Manager
Average Salary: $50,088
If you want to get paid for using social media platforms you should consider working as a social media manager. In this role, you will be responsible for creating and posting social media posts for all platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You’ll design social media campaigns and advertisements to build brand awareness.
Sound Technician
Average Salary: $49,050
A sound technician works in the audio department of a broadcasting company. They use recording equipment to record, manipulate, and reproduce sound for different content formats. You don’t need a four-year college degree to be a sound technician, all you need is an associate degree in sound technology or audio engineering.
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Resources to Find the Best-Paying Jobs in Broadcasting
- Start networking on social media: Networking with the right people in the broadcasting industry can do wonders for your job search. You can find job leads and referrals from professionals currently working in the industry.
- Attend career fairs: Job fairs or career fairs will allow you to meet recruiters and ask about work culture and open jobs. Career fairs sometimes include seminars and workshops to help you on the job market.
- Speak to a career coach: A career coach knows about industry trends and they can help you identify good companies to apply to. They can help you avoid common mistakes in the hiring process and improve your chances of getting a job.
- Gain experience through an internship: A successful internship can also result in a job offer. Most companies hire interns to train them in specific technical skills the company needs and later offer them permanent positions. If the company isn’t hiring, you can still get a good referral.
- Check media company websites: An excellent way to look for a broadcasting job is to list the companies you want to join and check their official website frequently for current job openings. You can also contact the human resource department to learn about upcoming job opportunities.
Is Broadcasting a Good Career Path?
Yes, broadcasting is a rewarding and exciting career path, especially if you want a job where you create and share content. The broadcasting industry is evolving and is expected to change as digital mediums of entertainment change. In the US, more people are using social media to get their daily news.
Most broadcasting jobs have a higher median wage than the national average in the US. However, broadcasting is a competitive field. To break into the field you’ll need excellent communication skills, presentation skills, content writing skills, or videography skills and the ability to meet tight broadcast deadlines.
Best Paying Jobs in Broadcasting FAQ
Program directors, broadcast producers, and news directors are among the highest-paid jobs in Broadcasting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a professional in these positions earns a median salary of $76,400.
You need excellent communication, performance, and presentation skills to enter broadcasting. Depending on the job, you might also need a specialized skill set such as video production, content development, or photo production.
Social media is an emerging digital medium with many job opportunities but salaries are highly variable from job to job. To improve your chances of getting a social media job with a competitive salary, you can attend a social media marketing bootcamp.
To become a technical writer, you need excellent writing skills and a solid knowledge of a technical subject like climate change or artificial intelligence. For high-paying technical writer jobs, you’ll need a graduate degree in the technical subject of your choice and writing experience.
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