Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
Colleges award this field under 5 named programs, from Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician to Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the operation and maintenance of camera and lighting equipment and the production of finished still, video, and film products under the supervision of photographers, directors, and editors. Covers equipment setup and maintenance; lighting; power supplies; studio and film set tasks such as camera operator, grip, and best boy; plate and negative handling and development; laboratory procedures; and digital software applications.
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of radio and television programs, and related operations, under the supervision of broadcast and studio managers, directors, editors, and producers. Covers sound, lighting, and camera operation and maintenance; power and feed control; studio operations; production preparation; broadcast engineering; related computer applications; and specialized applications such as news, entertainment, live talk, sports, commercials, and taping.
- Recording Arts Technology/Technician
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of sound recordings as finished products or as components of film/video, broadcast, live, or mixed media productions. Covers sound equipment operation and maintenance; music, dialogue, and sound effects recording; soundtrack editing; dubbing and mixing; sound engineering; tape, disk, and CD production; digital recording and transmission; amplification and modulation; and working with producers, editors, directors, artists, and production managers.
- Voice Writing Technology/Technician
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to use voice writing computer software and speak a verbal shorthand language to create transcripts and screen captioning of live or recorded events intended for the public or a specific audience in a variety of media (e.g., digital, film, print, television) as well as for conferences, conversations, interviews, and meetings. Covers screen captioning, speed building, spoken shorthand, transcription, and voice input writing.
- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Audiovisual communications technologies not listed above.
Also called Photographic and Film/Video Assistant
Also called Broadcast Captioning
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Audio and Video Technicians
- Median pay
- $58,100
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.9%
- Job openings a year
- 6,600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyFilm and Video Editors
- Median pay
- $75,420
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 3,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing slowlyCamera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
- Median pay
- $74,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingBroadcast Technicians
- Median pay
- $59,570
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.1%
- Job openings a year
- 1,600
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingLighting Technicians
- Median pay
- $68,060
- Hiring change through 2035
- −4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career ShrinkingCourt Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
- Median pay
- $72,420
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.1%
- Job openings a year
- 1,800
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyDisc Jockeys, Except Radio
- Median pay
- —
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 1,700
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingSound Engineering Technicians
- Median pay
- $73,130
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.1%
- Job openings a year
- 1,000
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $25,436 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Earnings, first year out | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan University NJ | 126 | $23,820 | 78% | $19,000 |
| Bowie State University MD | 97 | $31,607 | 84% | $19,000 |
| Belmont University TN | 94 | $27,055 | 96% | $28,000 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design GA | 34 | $19,055 | 84% | $49,000 |
| SUNY Buffalo State University NY | 29 | $26,612 | 76% | $15,000 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills CA | 28 | — | 91% | $9,000 |
| St. John's University-New York NY | 27 | $24,949 | 80% | $29,000 |
| Alabama A & M University AL | 24 | $16,965 | 66% | $20,000 |
| Columbia College Chicago IL | 24 | $23,934 | 91% | $26,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout WI | 19 | — | 85% | $13,000 |
| Portland State University OR | 18 | — | 91% | $9,000 |
| Ferris State University MI | 17 | $26,852 | 81% | $8,000 |
| Webster University MO | 17 | $27,336 | 58% | $27,000 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington IN | 15 | — | 80% | $12,000 |
| Loyola Marymount University CA | 11 | — | 40% | $34,000 |
| American University DC | 11 | $26,863 | 47% | $26,000 |
| SUNY at Fredonia NY | 10 | — | 79% | $16,000 |
| Ball State University IN | 9 | — | 72% | $14,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University MD | 9 | — | 8% | $4,000 |
| Ithaca College NY | 9 | — | 70% | $29,000 |
| Elon University NC | 9 | — | 67% | $24,000 |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead MN | 8 | — | 53% | $14,000 |
| Texas State University TX | 8 | — | 89% | $14,000 |
| College of the Ozarks MO | 7 | — | 15% | $5,000 |
| York College of Pennsylvania PA | 5 | — | 94% | $17,000 |
| Michigan Technological University MI | 4 | — | 88% | $6,000 |
| Long Island University NY | 1 | $25,436 | 90% | $25,000 |