How To Become A Board Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a board operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Board operators ensure the best functioning capability of their whole team, whether that team is in radio, television, or theater. They essentially ensure the smooth running of the shows in their station. They do that by controlling the board, performing announcements, controlling the music, and conduct many more tasks. They also ensure that loose ends are tied up in ensuring that shows ultimately sound professional. Board operators earn an average salary of $31,000 annually or $15 per hour.

Board operators are primarily responsible for controlling the switchboard, the lights, and sound systems for a radio station, television station, or theater production. Although their duties vary depending on the type of production they work for, they play some general roles such as setting up and troubleshooting mixing boards, microphones, electronic and mechanical components specific to their stations.

Board operators typically hold an associate's degree or professional certification in audio engineering. These qualifications can help candidates obtain entry-level positions in the industry. They are expected to be genuine masters in the game and as such, they should have some years of experience as a board operator or in a similar role.

ScoreBoard OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,557

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

4.1

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.11%

Black or African American 9.90%

Hispanic or Latino 16.58%

Unknown 6.24%

White 61.80%

Gender

female 35.64%

male 64.36%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress Level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.8

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

8.6

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a board operator

Explore board operator education requirements

Most common board operator degrees

Bachelor's

57.3 %

Associate

20.1 %

High School Diploma

12.5 %

Start to develop specific board operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Adobe Audition	10.95%
Phone Calls	10.66%
Control Room	10.30%
Wide Orbit	7.52%
Control Board	5.45%

Complete relevant board operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New board operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a board operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real board operator resumes.

Research board operator duties and responsibilities

Manage website, Spreaker, Podbean, iTunes, YouTube and other social media accounts.
Manage and update show's Facebook page and website with strategically tailor content aim at growing audience base.
Work behind the scenes screening calls, adjusting microphone volumes, monitoring commercials, and managing clips for intro/outro bump music.
Ensure all commercials, broadcast components, EAS tests and logs are correct and FCC compliant.

Prepare your board operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your board operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a board operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Board Operator Resume templates

Build a professional Board Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Board Operator resume.

Apply for board operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a board operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

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