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Audio Visual Technicians Job Overview

Audio-visual technicians produce and maintain audio-visual materials in various formats. AV specialists operate technical equipment at presentations and entertainment venues. They set up and operate audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors and recording equipment. They also operate sound and mixing boards for concerts, sports events, meetings, presentations and news conferences. They may set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.

Audio Visual Technicians Schools and Degrees

Audio visual technicians generally need a high school diploma. Technicians may substitute on-the-job training for formal education requirements. Many audio and video technicians learn through long-term on-the-job training, lasting anywhere from one to five years, depending on the specifics of their job. Working in a studio as an assistant is a good way of gaining experience and knowledge. AV technicians should take courses in educational media and instructional technology.

Job Requirements

Knowledge of computer hardware and software is very important for audio visual technicians. Information technology skills also are valuable because digital recording, editing and broadcasting are now very common. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians must have manual dexterity and an aptitude for working with electrical, electronic and mechanical systems and equipment. It is important to possess knowledge of producing, sharing and delivering information through written, spoken or visual media.

Nature of Work

Audio visual technicians generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However, those who broadcast news and other programs from locations outside the studio may also have to work outdoors in all types of weather or in other dangerous conditions. Technicians doing maintenance may climb poles or antenna towers, while those setting up equipment may have to do some heavy lifting. Technicians at large stations and networks usually work a 40-hour week. Technicians at small stations routinely work for more than 40 hours every week. Evening, weekend and holiday work is usual because most stations are on the air 18 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule and may work long hours to meet contractual deadlines.

Audio Visual Technicians Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, audio visual technicians held about 50,000 jobs in the US. That number is expected to grow by 24% in the next text ten years. Employment is the highest in the following industries:

• Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures
• Electronics and Appliance Stores
• Navigational, Measuring, Electrometrical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
• Scientific Research and Development Services
• Sound Recording Industries

The mean hourly wage for audio visual technicians in the US is about $18.88, while the mean annual wages are around $39,260.

Job Numbers and Growth

How many audio-video technicians are there? About 50,000 in all. Workers can most likely expect a low rate of unemployment. Note that 4% of employees were without work in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Atlantic City (New Jersey), Anchorage (Alaska), and San Francisco (California) boast the most audio-video technicians for their size population. Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), Edison (New Jersey), and Syracuse (New York) have the fewest.

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Atlantic City (New Jersey), Trenton (New Jersey), and Santa Ana (California). The lowest-paying areas are Birmingham (Alabama), Deltona (Florida), and Mobile (Alabama).

Training and Education

Expect to get long-term on-the-job training for this occupation. The share of audio-video technicians with a bachelor's degree or higher is 35%. About 44% of workers got additional education after high school, but did not have to get a college degree. There was no need to go beyond high school for 21% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

It is estimated that 13% of audio-video technicians work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 13% of workers.

Audio-Video Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin