# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/audio-and-video-technicians
- SOC code: 27-4011.00
- Career family: Arts, design and media
- Median annual pay: $58,100 (10th percentile $37,990, 90th percentile $100,650)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.9%
- Openings a year: 6,600
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 70 |
| Investigative (I) | 29 |
| Artistic (A) | 37 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 15 |
| Conventional (C) | 60 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 89/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 79/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 76/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 73/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (importance 69/100)

## Skills

Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Coordination, Service Orientation, Speaking, Writing

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Communications and Media, English Language, Telecommunications, Fine Arts, Engineering and Technology, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security, Administration and Management

## Also called

Audio Installer, Audio Technician, Audio Video Technician, Audio Visual Communications Systems Technician, Audio Visual Installer (AV Installer), Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), AV Installation Tech (Audiovisual Installation Technician), AV Production Specialist (Audio Visual Production Specialist), AV Specialist (Audiovisual Specialist), AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1002) (CIP 1002, 328 colleges)
- [Agricultural Public Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0108) (CIP 0108, 48 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | Agricultural Public Services | $67,189 | $80,965 | not reported |
| [University of Wisconsin-Madison Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-wisconsin-madison-main-campus-3084) | Agricultural Public Services | $46,367 | $71,726 | $14,186 |
| [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/johns-hopkins-university-1344) | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $62,858 | not reported |
| [Bowie State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bowie-state-university-288) | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $44,461 | $56,818 | $20,654 |
| [University of Arkansas Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-arkansas-main-campus-2868) | Agricultural Public Services | $46,864 | $54,454 | not reported |
| [Texas A & M University-College Station](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-a-m-university-college-station-2694) | Agricultural Public Services | $46,490 | $54,017 | $15,000 |
| [Elon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/elon-university-906) | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $53,185 | $22,250 |
| [Oklahoma State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus-2019) | Agricultural Public Services | $45,710 | $52,747 | $16,651 |

## Related careers

- [Broadcast Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/broadcast-technicians): $59,570 median pay
- [Sound Engineering Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sound-engineering-technicians): $73,130 median pay
- [Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/camera-operators-television-video-and-film): $74,990 median pay
- [Lighting Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lighting-technicians): $68,060 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/audiovisual-equipment-installers-and-repairers): $52,600 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.