Communications Technology/Technician.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Key Insights
Communications Technology/Technician. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $21549, and with an average debt of $17327, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.8—which is about average for college grads.
This program sees about 990 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Communications Technology/Technician. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Communications Technology/Technician (CIP 10.0105) is a technical program that prepares individuals to set up, operate, and maintain the equipment used in radio, television, and digital communications. While a degree in Communications might focus on how to speak or write, this "Technology" degree focuses on the hardware and software that make communication possible. It is the study of how signals move through the air, over cables, and across the internet.
This degree is ideal for students who are hands-on learners and technical problem-solvers. It is a path for those who want to be the essential experts in the control room, the recording studio, or the field production unit, ensuring that the message reaches the audience clearly and without interruption.
What Is a Communications Technology Degree?
A Communications Technology degree focuses on the engineering and operational aspects of media. It teaches students how to master professional-grade cameras, audio consoles, and transmission systems. The curriculum is designed to turn a student into a technician who understands the entire "signal chain"—from the moment a sound is made or an image is captured until it appears on a viewer's device.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train technicians to operate and repair broadcast and production equipment
- Teach the fundamentals of digital signal processing and transmission protocols
- Provide a foundation in "Live Production," where timing and technical accuracy are critical
- Develop specialists who can manage the converging worlds of traditional broadcasting and internet streaming
What Will You Learn?
Students learn the "physics of media," mastering the tools that allow for high-quality audio and video distribution.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Operate professional 4K/6K cameras, switching boards, and lighting rigs
- Master digital audio workstations (DAWs) for recording, mixing, and editing sound
- Troubleshoot "signal flow" to identify where a technical error is occurring in a system
- Manage live streaming encoders and satellite uplink systems
- Edit raw media into professional content using industry-standard software suites
- Configure computer networks specifically for high-speed media transfer
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is usually a balance of technical theory and hands-on lab time:
- Audio and Video Engineering: The science of capturing and reproducing light and sound.
- Broadcast Electronics: Understanding the circuitry and power needs of communication gear.
- Digital Post-Production: Advanced techniques in color grading and sound design.
- Transmission Systems: Learning about RF (Radio Frequency), fiber optics, and microwave links.
- Media Management: The logistics of running a technical crew and managing equipment budgets.
- Technical Standards: Learning the industry rules (like NTSC/PAL or SMPTE) that ensure devices work together.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates are the "technical glue" that holds media organizations together.
Common job roles include:
- Broadcast Technician: Controlling the quality and strength of signals for TV and radio.
- Camera Operator: Capturing high-quality visuals for news, sports, or film.
- Sound Engineering Technician: Managing audio levels and clarity for live or recorded events.
- Master Control Operator: Monitoring the outgoing program feed to ensure no "dead air" occurs.
- Field Service Engineer: Traveling to remote sites to maintain communication towers and equipment.
- Streaming Media Specialist: Managing the technical side of high-volume web broadcasts.
Where Can You Work?
Technicians are needed wherever media is created or distributed:
- Television and Radio Stations: Working in the studio or the "Electronic News Gathering" (ENG) vans.
- Production Houses: Creating commercials, corporate videos, and independent films.
- Live Event Companies: Managing the tech for concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
- Government Agencies: Running public access channels or internal communication networks.
- Educational Institutions: Managing campus media centers and online learning technology.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this field depend on your technical skill level and whether you work in a local or major national market.
- Broadcast Technicians: Median annual salary of approximately $48,000–$62,000.
- Sound Engineering Technicians: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$70,000.
- Media Technical Directors: Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $95,000+.
- Chief Engineers: In large markets, salaries for experienced engineers can exceed $120,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The academic work is challenging because it requires an understanding of electronics and networking. You must be comfortable with "troubleshooting logic"—the ability to find a needle in a haystack when a system stops working. The physical demands can also be high, as you may need to lift heavy equipment or work in outdoor environments during live events.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are the person who is always curious about how "behind-the-scenes" technology works
- Enjoy "puzzling" through technical setups and wiring diagrams
- Thrive on the adrenaline of a live environment where there are no "do-overs"
- Have a good ear for sound and an eye for visual detail
- Want a career that is hands-on and technical rather than purely academic
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Physics (specifically units on electricity, light, and sound), Math, and Shop/Tech
- Join the school’s media club, radio station, or morning announcement crew
- Practice editing videos or recording podcasts at home using free software
- Volunteer to run the AV for school assemblies or local community events
- Learn the basics of computer networking and "how the internet works"
Technical reliability, a calm head under pressure, and a passion for communication gear are the keys to a successful career in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor