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Broadcast Maintenance Technologist: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like to tinker with computers, networks, electrical, and mechanical equipment? Do you have a knack for precise, coordinated work? Then you may want to think about a career as a broadcast maintenance technologist.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Broadcast Maintenance Technologist

Broadcast maintenance technologists install, test, inspect, modify, repair, and maintain radio and television broadcasting systems.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Broadcast Engineer, Engineering Technologist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast Technicians

2006 NOC-S

  • F124: Broadcast Technicians

2011 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast technicians

2016 NOC

  • 5224: Broadcast technicians

2021 NOC

  • 52112: Broadcast technicians

2023 OaSIS

  • 52112.00: Broadcast technicians
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2025

All audio, video, computer, and other technical equipment in studios and at remote locations or transmitter facilities must be regularly tested, adjusted, cleaned, and inspected. When a problem is detected, broadcast maintenance technologists repair and restore equipment to proper operating condition.

Broadcast maintenance technologists maintain and repair a wide variety of equipment, including:

  • Television cameras, tripods, and robotic systems
  • Automation – servers controlling multiple broadcasting functions
  • Video switching and mixing equipment
  • Audio mixers
  • Video and audio recorders and servers
  • Video and audio effects equipment
  • Editing equipment – digital or analog
  • Microphones and related sound equipment
  • Lighting equipment
  • Microwave equipment, satellite receivers, and transmitters
  • Cellular bonding transmission equipment
  • Computer and networking equipment
  • Structured cabling installations
  • Remote broadcast equipment
  • Transmitters and transmission equipment for AM/FM radio and television
  • Video or audio streaming equipment
  • Analog and digital equipment and converters

In general, broadcast maintenance technologists:

  • Design, assemble, maintain, wire, and install a wide variety of items and systems
  • Build or modify specialized broadcast equipment
  • Design and document systems using computer-aided drawing programs and cable database management systems
  • Ensure that the power levels and frequency of the station’s broadcast signal meet government regulatory requirements and that broadcast signals are consistently clear and reliable
  • Set up equipment at remote locations

Depending on the size of the broadcast company, maintenance technologists may:

  • Divide their time between repairing and maintaining equipment at the station and transmitter(s)
  • Work exclusively at the station or mobile trailers, or at transmitter and rebroadcast facilities
  • Be required to respond to heating, cooling, plumbing, or electrical problems.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Broadcast maintenance technologists generally work indoors. They frequently work with small hand tools and electronic test equipment. Some heavy lifting may be required.

Broadcast maintenance technologists usually work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may be required to remain on standby during their time off in case emergency repairs are needed at the station or at transmitter facilities. Overtime may be necessary to meet broadcast deadlines.

Technologists who work for broadcast companies that have many rebroadcasting facilities may be required to travel extensively.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Broadcast technicians
2023 OaSIS: 52112.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Realistic

    Realistic jobs focus on working with your hands, tools, machines, or animals. People in these jobs often fix, build, or take care of things. They like clear tasks and working in a physical way. These jobs usually don’t need much paperwork or teamwork. Examples include mechanics, farmers, and builders.

  • 2
    Conventional

    Conventional jobs involve following rules and working with information. People in these jobs like to keep things organized and follow clear steps. They often work with numbers, files, or data. These jobs usually happen in offices and involve working with data and details more than ideas. Examples include clerks, accountants, and data entry workers.

  • 3
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Broadcast technicians
2023 OaSIS: 52112.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Broadcast maintenance technologists need:

  • Patience and persistence
  • Good hearing and eyesight
  • An aptitude for electrical and mechanical work
  • A keen interest in electronics and computers
  • Manual dexterity (to perform precise, coordinated hand movements)
  • Analytical and technical problem-solving skills
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to adapt to continuously changing technologies
  • The ability to work well under pressure during live productions

They should enjoy setting up and operating equipment, and trouble-shooting technical problems.

Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Broadcast maintenance technologists need at least 2 years of post-secondary training in broadcast systems technology, electronics, or networking programs.

After they are hired, inexperienced broadcast maintenance technologists receive further training on the job.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Certification Not regulated

Certification is voluntary. The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) offers certification for graduates of recognized education programs.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Broadcast maintenance technologists work for:

  • Radio and television broadcasting networks and stations
  • Recording studios
  • Production and post-production facilities
  • Multimedia enterprises
  • Sports and entertainment venues
  • Broadcast equipment companies (in sales and technical support positions)
  • Telecom or telecommunication companies

In some cases, broadcast maintenance technologists are hired on a contract basis.

Experienced broadcast maintenance technologists may advance to supervisory positions such as senior technologist, chief engineer, or management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Broadcast technicians
2016 NOC: 5224

80.9% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Broadcast technicians
2021 NOC: 52112
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Broadcast technicians
2016 NOC: 5224
2.6%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
n/a
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Employment prospects are best for broadcast maintenance technologists who are willing to travel or relocate.

Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Salaries for broadcast maintenance technologists vary depending on the technologist’s experience and training, and the size of the broadcast company.

Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Media, Design and Communication Arts
    • Communication Technology
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) website: sbe.org

Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) website: wabe.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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