C2HR: Broadcast engineering among hottest jobs in content development

Broadcast techs saw a 25% boost in their pay in 2024, according to annual survey

By Tom Butts

Published: February 20, 2025

Broadcast techs saw a 25% boost in their pay in 2024, according to annual survey

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A new survey among media HR professionals identifies broadcast operations professionals as among the most sought after jobs in the content development sector.

According to The Content & Connectivity Human Resources (C2HR) Association's Annual Compensation Surveys, content companies paid broadcast engineers (electromechanical) 25 per cent more than last year-the highest among all jobs-which covered business/legal affairs, market research, PR and remote/studio operations. Broadcast coordinator was next highest on the list with 18 per cent, followed by business/legal affairs at 14 per cent.

Overall, the professional association-which serves 4,800 members from 50 companies spanning the technology, media and entertainment sectors- reported that compensation growth among connectivity providers (i.e. cable, telco, fibre) was moderate. Base salary increases were smaller than last year, but bonuses and long-term incentives pushed total compensation higher for management and salaried employees. For the third year running, customer care reps claimed a spot on the high-demand talent list at connectivity companies, as did construction positions and senior marketing jobs.

Streaming continues to shape the compensation landscape for C2HR members, said Parthavi Das, C2HR's executive director. The C2HR Compensation Surveys revealed that participants continued to reward talent with specialised skills necessary to excel in the fiercely competitive streaming market while simultaneously ensuring pay raises for all employees.

Steady growth for content developers 2024 compensation growth was consistent across content jobs, with the exception of executives, who made up for a sluggish 2023. For executives, average total direct compensation (TDC), which comprises base, bonus and equity, increased 8.9 per cent, compared to 2.6 per cent in 2023. The preponderance of that increase came from larger bonus and equity distributions, although base salaries also increased a healthy 4.1 per cent.

Image: NEP In 2024, content middle management accrued 3.1 per cent base salary raises and professional and operating individual contributors (ICs) (non-managers) garnered 3.2 per cent base increases. TDC rose slightly for middle management: 4 per cent versus 3.8 per cent in 2023. TDC for professional ICs rose 3.1 per cent, lagging last year's 5.2 per cent; and operating IC/support personnel garnered 3 per cent TDC bumps in 2024, versus 3.7 per cent in 2023.

Thirty-eight content developers, employing 39,357 workers, with 889 positions and representing a mix of cable programmers; television, satellite and radio broadcasters; and digital content creators participated in C2HR's 2024 Compensation Surveys. (See list at end)

Moderate raises for connectivity providers The C2HR Compensation Surveys also revealed that pay among connectivity providers rose in 2024. Average TDC rose 4.5 per cent for management, up from 3.8 per cent in 2023. Management base salaries increased by 2.0 per cent. Salaried employees achieved 4.4 per cent TDC gains, up from 2023's 3.1 per cent TDC. Base pay for salaried workers rose on average 3.1 per cent in 2024, which was lower than last year's 3.9 per cent. Hourly workers accrued modest hikes in 2024: base pay rose 2.6 per cent compared to 3.8 per cent in 2023; total cash compensation (TCC) rose 2.2 per cent compared to 5.6 per cent last year, signifying that bonuses were smaller.

Eleven connectivity companies with 623 positions participated in the survey, including multiple system operators, satellite cable providers and security companies. Together, they represent 98,487 employees.

Specialised skills spike pay Among the significant findings of C2HR's Annual Compensation Surveys was the eagerly anticipated list of high-demand talent in content creation and broadband connectivity companies. Positions requiring sought-after skills, particularly those related to streaming, captured the largest salary increases.

The hot jobs data allow us to identify whether we have any compensation problems at the moment or will in the future for these important positions, noted Fernando Sanchez, compensation manager at TelevisaUnivision. This knowledge allows us to take preventive or follow-up actions.

Predicted Trends What else can HR professionals expect in 2025? Sanchez expects to see the elimination of siloed jobs in linear and digital programming. Currently, more dynamic positions are required that can serve both media types on different platforms, he said. I also expect to see increased growth of analytics positions that can provide key information for decision-making, trends and new market niches.

Renee Hauch, principal at JM Search and a member of C2HR's board of directors, expects job candidates to continue valuing chemistry and company culture. While pay remains an important factor in the decision-making process, it's often not the ultimate deciding factor, she said.

Recently, we worked on a senior-level operations role where the candidate received two comparable offers. Their decision came down to how they felt about their prospective boss, the company culture, and their ability to make an impact, Hauch continued. Today, companies are operating with fewer resources and leaner teams. Ensuring the right fit has become more critical than ever.

2024 C2HR Content Developers Compensation Survey participants: A+E Networks

Amazon.com Inc. (Reporting for: Amazon Prime Video)

AMC Networks Inc.

BBC Studios Americas Inc.

Charter Communications Inc.

Chicago Sports Network ( CHSN )

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