Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
SOC: 27-2012.05
Common Job Titles
News Technical Director
Production Director
Production Manager
Technical Director
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeFormulate production schedules and resource allocation strategies balancing personnel, equipment availability, and program requirements across concurrent projects.
Advanced
KnowledgeSynthesize creative vision with technical feasibility when developing objectives and strategies for complex multi-platform media productions.
Advanced
KnowledgeEvaluate technical quality and compliance of broadcast content across multiple production departments using monitoring systems and quality control standards.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze production workflows and technical system performance to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation in live broadcast environments.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate cross-departmental communication and collaborative problem-solving when coordinating taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance teams under time-sensitive production deadlines.
Proficient
KnowledgeAssess technical equipment functionality and maintenance needs using digital editing systems, camera control units, and broadcast infrastructure to ensure operational readiness.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate master control switchers and vision mixers during live radio and television productions, coordinating multiple video and audio sources.
Proficient
MindsetPrioritize competing technical and creative demands while maintaining team morale and ensuring adherence to broadcast standards.
Proficient
KnowledgeInterpret technical specifications and industry standards for telecommunications equipment, computers and electronics, and media production systems.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate continuous learning and technical skill development by training production staff on emerging broadcast technologies and software platforms.
Proficient
Hands-onPerform troubleshooting and repair of electronic broadcast equipment including audio boards, video servers, and digital video effects units to minimize production downtime.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Media Technical Directors/Managers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
145,270
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $43,060. 25th percentile: U.S. $59,810. 50th percentile: U.S. $83,480. 75th percentile: U.S. $131,160. 90th percentile: U.S. $198,530. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$43,060
10% of workers earn the following or more
$198,530
Workers on average earn
$114,280
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Communications and Media4.8/5
Computers and Electronics4.3/5
English Language4.1/5
Telecommunications3.8/5
Engineering and Technology3.6/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
