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 Known As:

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

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Audio and Video Technicians in United States

Job Outlook Average

New job opportunities are likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

95,400

3% Change From 2024

Explore Audio and Video Technicians video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.