Career comparison
Broadcast Announcer vs. Broadcast Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Broadcast technicians earn more at the median ($59,570 vs. $47,340), while broadcast technicians usually get to work faster (2-year degree of training). Broadcast announcers host radio shows, call games and present news and music on air. Broadcast technicians keep TV and radio signals on the air.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Broadcast Announcer | Broadcast Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,340 ($22.76/hr) | $59,570 ($28.64/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,190 – $138,440 | $31,390 – $123,670 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.6% (a projected decline) | -3.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 1,600 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | Degree plus station experience | 2-year degree |
| Key credential | Broadcasting degree | SBE certification |
| Work setting | Announcers work in studios and at live events.. | Technicians work in stations, control rooms and remote sites.. |
What each job does
Broadcast Announcer
- Host shows
- Introduce music
- Read news and ads
- Interview guests
- Call games
Broadcast Technician
- Run master control
- Monitor signals
- Operate switchers
- Maintain equipment
- Set up remote broadcasts
How they’re similar
Both careers involve shift work, a fast pace, and indoor work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose broadcast announcer if…
- I love talking
- I think fast
- I have a strong voice
Choose broadcast technician if…
- I like media tech
- I stay calm live
- I like troubleshooting
Still torn? Take the Broadcast Announcer fit quiz and the Broadcast Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, broadcast announcer or broadcast technician?
Broadcast Technicians earn more at the median: $59,570 versus $47,340 for broadcast announcers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Broadcast Technicians typically train faster (2-year degree) than broadcast announcers (Degree plus station experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects broadcast technicians to grow -3.1% from 2025–35, compared with -7.6% for broadcast announcers.