by our College Data Analytics TeamCommunications Technologies and Support is a growing field that gives students the ability to combine their technical side with their passion for creative communication. Students take classes in areas such as computer design, drawing, photography, art, lighting, sound mixing, and film to learn all aspects of their desired career.
Some majors within the Communications Technologies and Support field include Communications Technology, Audiovisual Communications, and Graphic Communications. There are specific areas of specialization within these majors that allow students to hone in on their desired interest.
Studying Communications Technologies & Support explores Communications Technologies/technicians And Support Services. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Function As Equipment Operators, Support Technicians, And Operations Managers In The Film/video, Recording, And Graphic Communications Industries. Continue reading for the important information every communications technologies & support student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering communications technologies & support programs.
Nationwide, communications technologies & support draws strong interest, with 16,676 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools ranking analyzes these 561 schools to determine the best overall colleges for communications technologies & support students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of communications technologies & support programs later in this article.
Programs in Communications Technologies & Support develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations communications technologies & support graduates commonly enter.
Since you will be working in the communications field, strong interpersonal skills are required. You must be able to communicate effectively with both colleagues and those who will be receiving your message. Other necessary skills include creativity, attention to detail, and proficiency with computer software.
Workweeks and hours vary depending on the type of job you have within the field. Typically, professionals work full time with extended hours during the week or on weekends while working on projects.
Internships and experience are important within the Communications Technologies field. Some jobs can be competitive and those with previous experience are more likely to be hired or promoted. Internships also give students the ability to build a professional portfolio of their previous work to show to potential clients and employers.
The skill set developed in a communications technologies & support program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a communications technologies & support major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several communications technologies & support degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,908 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4,101 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,145 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,463 |
People currently working in careers related to communications technologies & support tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 37.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.3% |
| Some college courses | 11.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in communications technologies & support careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are a wide variety of careers available to a Communications Technologies major. Those with a specialization in animation or film may decide to work for a television or motion picture studio while graphic designers or graphic communications professionals may choose to go into advertising or work as a freelancer. A degree within this field will provide graduates with the necessary skills to confidently pursue numerous career paths.
A degree in communications technologies & support opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to communications technologies & support.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communications technologies & support.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Etchers and Engravers | 989,173 | 14.7% |
| Desktop Publishers | 644,611 | 3.9% |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | 386,017 | -3.0% |
| Audio and Video Technicians | 360,660 | 6.8% |
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of communications technologies & support graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $22,712 |
| 4 years | $31,856 |
| 5 years | $36,812 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for communications technologies & support graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers communications technologies & support grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $92,043 |
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | $87,328 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,955 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,153 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,086 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,171 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
With 561 different communications technologies & support programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased communications technologies & support school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in communications technologies & support, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | 8,298 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 7,169 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 1,043 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | 166 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
