by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Communications Technology/Technician explores Communications Technology/technician. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Function As Workers And Managers Within Communications Industries. Includes Instruction In Business Economics; Basic Management; Principles Of Interpersonal And Mediated Communications; Radio, Television, And Digital Media Production; And Related Aspects Of Technology And Communications Systems. Read on to learn the essential details every communications technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering communications technology/technician programs.
In the U.S., communications technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 1,043 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Communications Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 40 schools to determine the best overall colleges for communications technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of communications technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Communications Technology/Technician develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations communications technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a communications technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a communications technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several communications technology/technician 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 | 51 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 162 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 297 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 520 |
People currently working in careers related to communications technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 19.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.7% |
| Some college courses | 7.9% |
| First professional degree | 1.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in communications technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in communications technology/technician can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to communications technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communications technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | 164,697 | 10.8% |
| Broadcast Technicians | 117,697 | 3.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of communications technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $19,605 |
| 4 years | $28,474 |
| 5 years | $36,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for communications technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers communications technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,153 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,171 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
With 40 different communications technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased communications technology/technician school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
