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Careers›Roles›Control Room Operator
Mid-Level

Control Room Operator

In the control room, you run the live technical show: switching feeds, cueing sources, and keeping a broadcast or production flowing cleanly in real time. Calm hands at the center of a live signal.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
I
A
E
S
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Control Room Operators
Technology & Information · 79%Entertainment & Media · 7%Education · 6%Professional Services · 3%Government · 3%Administrative Services · 1%
Job markets for Control Room Operators
Employment concentration · ~102 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Arts & Media
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Control Room Operator

Work is live and fast: operating switchers and equipment, following a rundown, and reacting instantly when something changes or breaks, alongside directors and crew. Staying calm and quick when it goes sideways is the craft, and the show airs whether you're ready or not, so there's no pausing to figure it out.

The harder part is the relentless, no-second-take pressure of live production, often at odd hours. The technology keeps shifting, mistakes are public and immediate, and gear and workflows vary by facility. Settings range from local broadcast to large productions, each with its own intensity.

It fits someone fast, focused, and unflappable under live pressure. If you want a calm pace or a desk, the control room may not suit. But if there's a charge in running a live show cleanly, and solving problems in the moment, the work tends to deliver it, broadcast after broadcast.

What people in this role value
SupportModerate
AchievementModerate
IndependenceModerate
Working ConditionsLower
RelationshipsLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$121K+90%
Energy & Utilities$114K+80%
Professional Services$113K+77%
Financial Services$98K+54%
Wholesale & Distribution$89K+40%
Compared to Arts & Media average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Control Room Operators (SOC 27-4012.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Arts & Media →
Control Room OperatorProcess Control TechnicianCertified Control Systems TechnicianDub Room EngineerOperating EngineerOperations TechnicianProduction EngineerEngineering TechnicianVideo OperatorSignal EngineerTransmitter EngineerVideo Production AssistantStation EngineerAudio OperatorBoard OperatorControl EngineerFacsimile OperatorStudio CoordinatorMicrophone OperatorRadio Station EngineerReliability TechnicianControl Room TechnicianStudio Control OperatorSound Effects TechnicianDigital Production Assistant+1 more
Exploring the Control Room Operator career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29K–$115K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
21K
U.S. Employment
-2.8%
10yr Growth
2K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$68K$65K$62K$59K$57K201920202021202220232024$57K$68K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningMonitoringOperations MonitoringComplex Problem SolvingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningSpeakingReading Comprehension
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
27-4012.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midProcess Control Technician$74KmidCertified Control Systems Technician$74KmidDub Room Engineer$66KmidOperating Engineer$71KseniorSenior Operating Engineer$71KmidOperations Technician$66K
View all Arts & Media roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.