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The differences between board operators and broadcast engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a board operator and a broadcast engineer. Additionally, a broadcast engineer has an average salary of $70,490, which is higher than the $42,557 average annual salary of a board operator.
The top three skills for a board operator include adobe audition, phone calls and control room. The most important skills for a broadcast engineer are transmitters, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Board Operator | Broadcast Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,557 | $70,490 |
| Hourly rate | $20.46 | $33.89 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 31,348 | 7,228 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A board operator is a technical professional who is responsible for controlling a switchboard, the lighting and sound systems for a radio station, television station, or theater production. Board operators are required to master the control room audio board to ensure technical quality of sound as well as operate cameras and microphones. They should inspect the audio equipment and control board for potential problems before each broadcast. Board operators must also connect broadcasters and reporters in the field to the station for live broadcasts.
A broadcast engineer specializes in handling and maintaining broadcasting equipment. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, setting-up video and audio equipment, troubleshooting problems, performing repairs, and recommending upgrades as necessary. They may also develop strategies to optimize operations, establish guidelines, and provide technical support to staff, educating them on how to operate machines effectively. Moreover, a broadcast engineer must perform regular maintenance checks and enforce safety policies to ensure a smooth workflow and safe work environment for everyone.
Board operators and broadcast engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Board Operator | Broadcast Engineer | |
| Average salary | $42,557 | $70,490 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $73,000 | Between $50,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | - | Virginia |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a board operator and a broadcast engineer in terms of educational background:
| Board Operator | Broadcast Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Communication | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between board operators' and broadcast engineers' demographics:
| Board Operator | Broadcast Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |