How to become a Media Technical Director or Manager
Official title: Media Technical Directors/Managers
Also called: Broadcast Director, News Technical Director, Newscast Director, Operations Director, Production Director, Production Manager, Studio Director, Technical Director
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
Main tasks
- 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.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- 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.
How to become one
Producers and directors typically need a bachelor's degree. They also typically need several years of experience working on set in film, TV, stage, or other productions in positions such as actors, film and video editors, or cinematographers or in related occupations, such as theater managers.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 31 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $90,360 a year The middle half earn $62,670 to $134,800.
- About 181,000 people work in this job now, and about 188,300 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Media Technical Director or Manager?
Producers and directors typically need a bachelor's degree. They also typically need several years of experience working on set in film, TV, stage, or other productions in positions such as actors, film and video editors, or cinematographers or in related occupations, such as theater managers.
How much does a Media Technical Director or Manager earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $90,360 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $62,670 to $134,800.
Is a Media Technical Director or Manager a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 181,000 to about 188,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Media Technical Director or Manager?
Usually. 75% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Media Technical Director or Manager?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.