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Sector

Careers in TV & Radio Broadcasting

TV and radio broadcasting produces and distributes programming over airwaves and cable โ€” traditional media adapting to streaming competition.

118K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
โ€”
Median salary
Across all roles
TV & Radio Broadcasting jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
TV & Radio Broadcasting employment by metro ยท ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ6K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA4K
3.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV2K
4.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN1K
5.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA1K

Jobs per 100K workforce โ€” measures industry density

1.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA71.7
2.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ69.4
3.Lincoln, NE60.4
4.Fargo, ND-MN60.4
5.South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI59.9
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in TV & Radio Broadcasting

TV and radio broadcasting reaches audiences through airwaves โ€” there's satisfaction in live media, being part of how news and entertainment reach communities, and broadcast tradition. Many find meaning in reaching audiences.

The challenge can come from industry transformation and competitive pressure. Linear TV and radio face digital competition. Revenue has shifted to streaming. Stations have consolidated; newsrooms have shrunk. Shifts include early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

The field varies by medium and role. TV differs from radio, station groups, or networks. On-air talent differs from production, engineering, or sales. Local affiliates differ from network or cable.

For those who thrive here, the rewards can include: reaching audiences, broadcast culture, local community connection, and media careers. If you're drawn to broadcasting, can adapt to industry changes, and want media careers, stations offer opportunities though the landscape has shifted.

How people break in

Entry often in smaller markets. Production and technical roles accessible with training. Sales accessible. On-air requires demonstrated ability.

Work environment tends toward
Local presenceDigital adaptationOn-air competitionSales-driven (local)Technical production
Industries it connects to
Salary vs. national average
โ€”
โ€” median vs. $71K national

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts โ€” signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in TV & Radio Broadcasting.

๐Ÿšช
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Technology & Information data
16%
People tend to stay in Technology & Information. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
โ†“ 6%vs. 22% all industries
๐Ÿข
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
87%
Small
<50
11%
Mid
50โ€“249
2%
Large
250+
๐Ÿค
Union Presence
Based on all Technology & Information data
~6%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
โ†“ 6%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Union Members Summary 2024

Explore careers in TV & Radio Broadcasting

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.