What Audio and Video Technicians do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Audio and Video Technicians this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed"; "Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance"; "Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment"; "Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming"; "Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Audio and Video Technicians
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 87,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 91,100 in 2035, an increase of 3,500 jobs (+3.9%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 6,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 10.0% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,100, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Audio and Video Technicians earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $70,024 in New York to $71,183 in New Jersey, a gap of $1,159 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $58,100 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 9,920, which is 52.4% of the 18,940 counted across them. New York follows with 9,020.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($71,183) and New York ($70,024) lead the ranking, while New York ($70,024) and New Jersey ($71,183) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Frequently asked questions about Audio and Video Technicians
What is the national median wage for Audio and Video Technicians?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,100. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $70,024 to $71,183.
Which state pays Audio and Video Technicians the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $71,183. New York is next at $70,024.
What is the job outlook for Audio and Video Technicians?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 6,600 openings a year.
What education do Audio and Video Technicians need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.