The Society of Broadcast Engineers recently released the results of its annual compensation survey.
This year’s 25-question survey gathered data on market size, annual compensation and certification status. It was conducted in April and May.
Participation was open to both members and non-members, drawing 149 respondents.
SBE President Kevin Trueblood said in a release that while the response rate was lower than the society had hoped, the findings once again highlight that certification directly impacts earning power.
The society shared highlights of the 2026 survey with Radio World.
A look at earnings
Across radio, respondents with an SBE certification reported an average salary of $97,703, compared to $90,161 for those without.
The gap is even wider when television engineers are added into the results. Certified radio and TV respondents averaged $100,532 versus $91,532 for non-certified peers.
Overall, about 46% of respondents hold an SBE professional certification, while 13% hold another broadcast- or media-related credential.
“The SBE is proud to show that once again, as it has for many years, individuals who hold SBE certification on average earn a higher salary than those who do not hold SBE certification,” the release said.
Among all participants, roughly 60% reported receiving a raise within the last year. Of those who received a pay increase, around 40% saw a 3% bump, while 15% received a raise of 8% or more.
The survey found that a majority of respondents work in radio-related roles. The highest concentration of participants are in their 60s, with most having worked in broadcast or multimedia technology for over 20 years.
The complete survey results are available for free to SBE members through the SBE bookstore upon logging in. Non-members may purchase the report.
Composed of television, radio and media technology engineers, SBE has approximately 4,000 members across 117 chapters in the United States, Hong Kong and Eastern Europe, as well as members in roughly 25 other countries.
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