Audio-Video Technician Training and Jobs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Part-Time 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.
Career Videos
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
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $37,000 | 110 | -38% |
| Huntsville | $35,000 | 30 | -59% |
| Mobile | $26,000 | 110 | +81% |
| Montgomery | $29,000 | 60 | +7% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $35,000 | 90 | +56% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $39,000 | 640 | +1% |
| Tucson | $36,000 | 130 | +7% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $35,000 | 120 | -2% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $38,000 | 110 | -3% |
| Los Angeles | $52,000 | 3,910 | +167% |
| Oakland | $47,000 | 420 | +17% |
| Oxnard | $49,000 | 70 | -33% |
| Sacramento | $36,000 | 280 | -10% |
| Salinas | $50,000 | 60 | +9% |
| San Diego | $40,000 | 480 | +2% |
| San Francisco | $52,000 | 930 | +160% |
| San Jose | $47,000 | 360 | +11% |
| Santa Ana | $54,000 | 750 | +43% |
| Santa Barbara | $51,000 | 70 | +21% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $32,000 | 110 | +24% |
| Denver | $41,000 | 670 | +49% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $44,000 | 90 | -41% |
| Hartford | $45,000 | 430 | +109% |
| New Haven | $53,000 | 110 | +15% |
| Norwich | $45,000 | 50 | +20% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $50,000 | 90 | -22% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,000 | 930 | +6% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $44,000 | 250 | 0% |
| Gainesville | $35,000 | 30 | -27% |
| Jacksonville | $36,000 | 60 | -72% |
| Miami | $38,000 | 440 | +24% |
| Naples | $43,000 | 40 | +6% |
| Orlando | $41,000 | 610 | +67% |
| Sarasota | $33,000 | 40 | -54% |
| Tampa | $39,000 | 350 | -15% |
| West Palm Beach | $33,000 | 140 | -25% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $45,000 | 800 | -4% |
| Augusta | $28,000 | 30 | -58% |
| Columbus | $24,000 | 30 | -19% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $55,000 | 220 | +40% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $34,000 | 60 | -35% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $46,000 | 1,160 | -15% |
| Springfield | $47,000 | 40 | +11% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $35,000 | 400 | +24% |
| South Bend | $31,000 | 50 | +14% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $41,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Des Moines | $35,000 | 100 | -14% |
| Sioux City | $26,000 | 40 | +69% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $31,000 | 60 | -29% |
| Louisville | $36,000 | 50 | -77% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $52,000 | 80 | -40% |
| New Orleans | $34,000 | 420 | +121% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $44,000 | 460 | -3% |
| Bethesda | $40,000 | 230 | +11% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $44,000 | 1,610 | +156% |
| Lowell | $39,000 | 90 | +121% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $34,000 | 200 | -17% |
| Grand Rapids | $32,000 | 90 | -33% |
| Lansing | $37,000 | 50 | -28% |
| Warren | $48,000 | 340 | -13% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $48,000 | 670 | +4% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $31,000 | 50 | -44% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $39,000 | 220 | -40% |
| St Louis | $44,000 | 810 | +68% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $33,000 | 80 | +45% |
| Omaha | $33,000 | 230 | +37% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $50,000 | 1,990 | +550% |
| Reno | $41,000 | 110 | +66% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $67,000 | 790 | +1488% |
| Edison | $44,000 | 160 | -57% |
| Newark | $44,000 | 150 | -58% |
| Trenton | $54,000 | 120 | +51% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $27,000 | 230 | +67% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $50,000 | 110 | -32% |
| Binghamton | $40,000 | 80 | +110% |
| Buffalo | $43,000 | 180 | -9% |
| Nassau | $48,000 | 480 | +5% |
| New York | $58,000 | 5,030 | +167% |
| Poughkeepsie | $57,000 | 40 | -54% |
| Rochester | $38,000 | 110 | -39% |
| Syracuse | $39,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Utica | $41,000 | 40 | -6% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $39,000 | 50 | -19% |
| Charlotte | $45,000 | 160 | -48% |
| Durham | $36,000 | 90 | -8% |
| Fayetteville | $32,000 | 40 | -7% |
| Greensboro | $30,000 | 110 | -13% |
| Raleigh | $38,000 | 90 | -51% |
| Wilmington | $30,000 | 70 | +50% |
| Winston Salem | $28,000 | 90 | +22% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $58,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Cincinnati | $45,000 | 240 | -34% |
| Cleveland | $43,000 | 210 | -43% |
| Columbus | $43,000 | 270 | -19% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $30,000 | 170 | -18% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $34,000 | 60 | +24% |
| Portland | $34,000 | 510 | +38% |
| Salem | 30 | -42% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $38,000 | 80 | -35% |
| Harrisburg | $36,000 | 80 | -30% |
| Lancaster | $35,000 | 80 | -3% |
| Philadelphia | $43,000 | 500 | -28% |
| Pittsburgh | $35,000 | 520 | +26% |
| Reading | $33,000 | 70 | +21% |
| York | $31,000 | 30 | -51% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $45,000 | 100 | -50% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $36,000 | 150 | +20% |
| Greenville | $35,000 | 70 | -34% |
| Spartanburg | $28,000 | 40 | +2% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $37,000 | 40 | -66% |
| Memphis | $29,000 | 150 | -32% |
| Nashville | $40,000 | 450 | +69% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $36,000 | 400 | +41% |
| College Station | $40,000 | 40 | +30% |
| Dallas | $45,000 | 690 | -9% |
| El Paso | $35,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Fort Worth | $47,000 | 260 | -17% |
| Houston | $35,000 | 540 | -43% |
| Mcallen | $30,000 | 40 | -50% |
| San Antonio | $35,000 | 190 | -40% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo | $39,000 | 40 | -32% |
| Salt Lake City | $38,000 | 500 | +129% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $33,000 | 180 | -19% |
| Virginia Beach | $35,000 | 210 | -23% |
| Winchester | $43,000 | 30 | +92% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia | $33,000 | 40 | +21% |
| Seattle | $45,000 | 490 | -3% |
| Spokane | $38,000 | 50 | -30% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $47,000 | 130 | +8% |
| Milwaukee | $41,000 | 160 | -47% |