Media Technical Directors/Managers
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
Also called: Broadcast Director · News Technical Director · Newscast Director · Operations Director · Production Director · Production Manager
Median pay (national)
$83,480
$43,060–$198,530 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
145,270
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.9%
~12,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for media technical directors/managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $198,530 versus $43,060 at the bottom 10% — 4.6x. The median of $83,480 leaves roughly 138% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 12,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $122,150, +46% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $39,150 — a 212% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
- Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
- Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
- Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
- Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Photoshop
- Atlassian JIRA
- C
- C++
- Linux
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle Database
- Perl
- Python
- Salesforce software
- Structured query language SQL
- Swift
- UNIX
Knowledge areas
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training