Audio and Video Technicians
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.
Also called: Audio Installer, Audio Technician, Audio Video Technician, Audio Visual Communications Systems Technician, Audio Visual Installer (AV Installer), Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist)
Median pay
$58,100
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,990 – $100,650
People employed
70,230
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 6.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Audio and Video Technicians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What audio and video technicians do
- 01Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- 02Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- 03Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- 04Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- 05Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- 06Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Fine Arts
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from audio and video technicians
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers73% · +84%
- Computer User Support Specialists72% · +6%
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers71% · −9%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment69% · +28%
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers68% · +9%
Change into audio and video technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Motion Picture Projectionists75% · $38,270
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers71% · $52,600
- Prepress Technicians and Workers71% · $48,690
- Computer User Support Specialists68% · $61,860
- Media Technical Directors/Managers63% · $90,360
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural Communication/Journalism
- Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician
- Recording Arts Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.