How To Become A Master Control Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a master control operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Master control operators are in charge of executing live broadcasts and ensuring the technical quality of their organization's programming and other media operations. They're in order of quality-controlling network transmissions, as well as reviewing, editing, and confirming the automated playlists' ongoing dependability.

They also work with automation software, making changes to the on-air schedule as needed to ensure programming continuity. Performing all playback and monitoring functions for the origination of multiple satellite broadcast channels is one of the operator's primary responsibilities. They also form business relationships with other members of the media.

This position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field. Additionally, master control experience may be required or preferred, and industry certifications may be advantageous.

To ensure that you can resolve programming and transmission issues as they arise, you should have a strong technical background in media broadcasts. Generally, master control operators have more than seven years of experience. In this role, you are likely to earn an average salary of $60,000.

ScoreMaster Control OperatorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,528

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.11%

Black or African American 9.51%

Hispanic or Latino 16.53%

Unknown 6.25%

White 62.23%

Gender

female 22.76%

male 77.24%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a master control operator

Explore master control operator education requirements

Most common master control operator degrees

Bachelor's

62.2 %

Associate

23.7 %

High School Diploma

6.4 %

Start to develop specific master control operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Transmitters	8.62%
Troubleshoot	8.43%
FCC	7.88%
Ingest	6.30%
Audio Board	5.44%

Complete relevant master control operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New master control operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a master control operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real master control operator resumes.

Research master control operator duties and responsibilities

Design social networking app with routing using Java, TCP/IP and UDP/IP.
Organize and prioritize daily network programming needs, troubleshoot on-air emergencies and equipment malfunctions.
Create an integrate training program to teach all nuclear operators new instrumentation and control systems base on digital logic versus analog.
Monitor ABC and local programming.

Prepare your master control operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your master control operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a master control operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable master control operator resume templates

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