Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Audio and Video Technicians
Also called: Audio Technician, Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician), Media Technician
US median pay
$58,100
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,600
87,600 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
What they do day to day
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
- Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
- Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
- Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
- Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.5/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- Communications and Media4.1/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Telecommunications3.7/5
- Fine Arts3.6/5
- Engineering and Technology3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree43%
- High school diploma25%
- Post-secondary certificate20%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.