Skip to content
AlmaSpire

Careers · Explore one path

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.

Watch this work See majors and colleges
Other titles employers use

Audio Technician · Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist) · AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician) · Media Technician · Operations Technician · Stagehand · Video Technician · Audio-Visual Production Specialist

Inside the work

What you would actually do.

6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.

  • 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.

Who it suits

Would this work hold your attention?

This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and creative work.

Practical
Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Organizing
Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Creative
Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer

Skills and strengths

What you would get good at.

Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.

Core skills

  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Listening

Subjects to know

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Communications and Media
  • English Language
  • Telecommunications
  • Fine Arts

Useful strengths

  • Near Vision
  • Oral Expression
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Information Ordering

Working day

Picture yourself doing it.

These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.

How this job scores on four measures of working conditions, out of five
MeasureOut of 5What that means here
Close to other people3.4 Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder
On your feet2.5 Mostly seated
Talking face to face4.8 Continuous — the job is conversations
Working with your hands4.4 Handling tools, instruments or materials

Preparation

How people prepare for this work.

Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.

  • A four-year degree 43%
  • High school or less 25%
  • A certificate or some college 21%
  • A two-year degree 11%

Tools of the work

Technology you may use.

  • Operating system software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Video conferencing software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Office suite software

Opportunity near you

See where this work is growing.

Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.

Selected stateCalifornia
People doing this work
13,100
Job openings each year
1,200
Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
7.4%
Compare every available state
State People doing it Job openings each year Expected change
California 13,100 1,200 7.4%
Florida 7,340 700 13.8%
New York 6,580 40 6.8%
Texas 5,540 530 14.2%
Illinois 2,950 270 6.5%
Utah 2,610 260 31.2%
Minnesota 2,360 210 5.4%
Washington 2,250 260 19.0%
North Carolina 2,180 210 13.0%
Pennsylvania 2,150 200 5.4%
Georgia 2,100 200 10.5%
Arizona 1,790 170 13.3%
New Jersey 1,780 160 —
Tennessee 1,780 180 25.4%
Virginia 1,770 160 5.4%
Maryland 1,630 150 10.1%
Missouri 1,510 140 4.9%
Ohio 1,510 140 2.7%
Colorado 1,430 130 7.5%
Michigan 1,260 110 —
Nevada 1,230 120 18.3%
Wisconsin 1,160 110 13.7%
Indiana 1,080 100 4.9%
Connecticut 910 90 19.7%
Alabama 870 80 7.4%
South Carolina 800 80 15.9%
Puerto Rico 770 70 14.9%
Louisiana 750 70 4.2%
Oklahoma 740 70 4.2%
Kentucky 700 60 7.7%
District of Columbia 640 60 8.5%
Oregon 640 60 12.3%
Massachusetts 590 50 7.3%
New Mexico 470 50 34.3%
Idaho 440 40 18.9%
Iowa 380 40 8.6%
Kansas 310 30 3.3%
Rhode Island 300 30 7.1%
New Hampshire 250 20 4.2%
Nebraska 240 20 4.3%
Mississippi 200 20 5.3%
Montana 180 20 12.5%
North Dakota 170 20 6.3%
Arkansas 150 10 15.4%
West Virginia 130 10 8.3%
Vermont 120 10 20.0%
South Dakota 110 10 —
Delaware 100 10 —
Maine 80 10 −11.1%
Alaska 70 10 —
Wyoming 60 10 20.0%

Career to college

Build a path toward this work.

Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.

CareerAudio and Video Technicians
Most direct field Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians Related field Agricultural Public Services

Where to study

Colleges with strong activity in these fields.

Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.

NJ

Rowan University

Degrees each year
126
Admit rate
78%
Annual cost after aid
$19,000
Open college MD

Bowie State University

Degrees each year
97
Admit rate
84%
Annual cost after aid
$19,000
Open college TN

Belmont University

Degrees each year
94
Admit rate
96%
Annual cost after aid
$28,000
Open college OK

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Degrees each year
71
Admit rate
71%
Annual cost after aid
$16,000
Open college GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Degrees each year
34
Admit rate
84%
Annual cost after aid
$49,000
Open college TX

Texas A & M University-College Station

Degrees each year
66
Admit rate
63%
Annual cost after aid
$17,000
Open college NY

SUNY Buffalo State University

Degrees each year
29
Admit rate
76%
Annual cost after aid
$15,000
Open college CA

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Degrees each year
28
Admit rate
91%
Annual cost after aid
$9,000
Open college

Compare every college offering audiovisual communications technologies/technicians

Keep exploring

Careers with something in common.

Compare paths that use similar training and strengths.

Broadcast TechniciansSound Engineering TechniciansCamera Operators, Television, Video, and FilmLighting TechniciansElectrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAudiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers