Audio and video equipment technicians: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Audio and video equipment technicians set up and operate audio and video equipment. They also connect wires and cables and set up and operate sound and mixing boards and related electronic equipment.
Audio and video equipment technicians work with microphones, speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, and recording equipment. The equipment they operate is used for meetings, concerts, sports events, conventions, and news conferences. In addition, they may operate equipment at conferences and at presentations for businesses and universities.
Audio and video equipment technicians also may set up and operate custom lighting systems. They frequently work directly with clients and must provide solutions to problems in a simple, clear manner.
- Education Required
- Audio and video equipment technicians, as well as sound engineering technicians, typically need a postsecondary nondegree award or certificate, whereas broadcast technicians typically need an associates degree. However, in some cases, workers in any of these occupations may need only a high school diploma to be eligible for entry-level positions.
- Training Required
- Because technology is constantly improving, technicians often enroll in continuing education courses, and they receive on-the-job training to become skilled in new equipment and hardware. On-the-job training includes setting up cables or automation systems, testing electrical equipment, learning the codes and standards of the industry, and following safety procedures.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 8% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Although many broadcast and sound engineering technicians work first in small markets or at small stations in big markets, after they gain the necessary experience and skills they often transfer to larger, better paying radio or television stations. Few large stations hire someone without previous experience, and they value more specialized skills.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Although not required by most employers, earning voluntary certification will offer advantages in getting a job as a broadcast or sound engineering technician. Certification tells employers that the technician meets certain industry standards and has kept up to date with new technologies.
- Median pay: How much do Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians make?
- $42,550 Annual Salary
- $20.46 per hour
Careers for Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians
- Audio engineers
- Audio recording engineers
- Audio-visual production specialists
- Broadcast engineers
- Broadcast maintenance engineers
- Broadcast operations engineers
- Broadcast technicians
- Disc recordists
- Dub room engineers
- Event AV operators
- Event crew technicians
- Film sound engineers
- Multimedia production assistants
- Play back operators
- Public address technicians
- Radio and television technicians
- Radio station audio engineers
- Recording engineers
- Remote broadcast engineers
- Sound assistants
- Sound cutters
- Sound designers
- Sound editors
- Sound effects technicians
- Sound engineering technicians
- Telecasting engineers
- Television audio engineers
- Video control operators
- Video equipment technicians
- Video production assistants