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AV tech: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$58,100median pay per year, or $27.93 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,990lowest 10% earn less
  2. $46,39025th percentile
  3. $58,100median
  4. $77,56075th percentile
  5. $100,650top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Audio and video technicians earned a median of $58,100 a year in May 2025[1]. Their jobs are projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.9%[2]
Openings per year
6,600[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do AV techs make?

BLS counts AV techs as Audio and Video Technicians. In May 2025 their median pay was $58,100 a year, or $27.93 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $64,630 a year, or $31.07 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,990 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $46,390[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $77,560, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $100,650[3]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $18.26 and the 90th was $48.39[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages and not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and benefit costs[10].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $78,770, then New Jersey at $71,040 and Maryland at $70,040[11]. Mississippi was lowest on the list at $43,500[11].

California had the most jobs at 9,280, followed by New York at 7,990 and Florida at 6,000[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ had the highest median at $79,610[13]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was next at $75,540[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 7,800, with a median of $72,300[14].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$78,770830
New Jersey$71,0402,280
Maryland$70,0401,770
Washington$69,2701,360
New York$67,6007,990
California$64,6209,280
Rhode Island$64,070150
Nevada$62,7701,580
Connecticut$62,120820
Alaska$62,06070
Illinois$60,7403,020
Hawaii$60,150430
Delaware$59,700130
Michigan$58,3001,700
Pennsylvania$56,8903,080
Colorado$56,790830
New Hampshire$56,180170
Florida$54,2306,000
Virginia$53,9601,900
Minnesota$53,800960
Oregon$52,000630
South Carolina$52,000440
Vermont$51,500170
Wisconsin$51,390760
Georgia$51,3501,630
Iowa$51,030290
Missouri$50,6801,370
Nebraska$50,660290
Alabama$50,160320
North Dakota$50,110100
Kansas$50,030220
Tennessee$49,9701,640
Idaho$49,950210
Ohio$49,8901,430
Indiana$49,8701,390
Wyoming$49,68050
Texas$49,4404,280
Oklahoma$49,010540
Utah$48,7301,880
Kentucky$48,320600
Arizona$47,1401,340
New Mexico$47,070420
Montana$46,700140
North Carolina$46,7001,870
West Virginia$46,590200
Maine$46,080150
Louisiana$44,480860
Arkansas$43,910150
Mississippi$43,500200

How to become an AV tech

The OOH details below come from a profile on broadcast, sound and video technicians, a wider group than this job[15].

High school classes in math, physics and electronics are a good base[19]. Hands-on time in a school audiovisual department, at the high school or college level, also helps[20]. Certification is voluntary and most employers do not require it, though it may help in getting hired[21].

In an O*NET survey of 25 workers in this job, 43% said a bachelor's degree is required, 25% said a high school diploma, 20% a post-secondary certificate and 11% an associate's degree[22].

What AV techs do

O*NET describes the job as setting up, maintaining and taking down audio and video gear for events that are live or recorded, including concerts, meetings, conventions and podcasts[23]. Common tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include audio technician, AV specialist, media technician and stagehand[25].

Where they work

This part draws on the wider broadcast, sound and video profile[15]. These technicians mostly work indoors in studios for radio, television, movies or recording, and may work outdoors on location. They also set up systems in settings that include hotels, schools, hospitals, offices, arenas and homes[26]. Some tasks involve heavy lifting[27].

Technicians usually work full time, with occasional overtime for deadlines or live events. Evening, weekend and holiday work is common[28]. Publishing, broadcasting and content providers were the largest employer group at 16%[29]. In 2025, 10% of audio and video technicians were self-employed[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of audio and video technicians to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 87,600 to 91,100 jobs[2]. For all occupations, the projection is 3.5%[31]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS projects about 6,600 openings a year[5]. They include workers who retire or switch occupations and not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[32].

The projection count of 87,600 is higher than the 70,230 wage and salary jobs counted by OEWS in May 2025[33]. The two sources measure employment differently.

Is it a good fit?

The median pay of $58,100 was above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][4]. The typical entry path is a postsecondary nondegree award plus short-term on-the-job training[6]. Projected growth of 3.9% is close to the 3.5% for all occupations[2][31]. The job may suit people who like working with equipment and live events, and who are ready to keep learning as technology changes[23][18].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an AV tech make an hour?
The median was $27.93 an hour and the average was $31.07 in May 2025[1][7].
What education do you need to be an AV tech?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[6]. Requirements vary by position, from a high school diploma up to a college degree[17].
Is AV tech a job in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][31]. About 6,600 openings are projected each year[5].
What is the highest paying state for AV techs?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $78,770 a year[11]. Among states, New Jersey followed at $71,040[11].
How long does it take to become an AV tech?
Postsecondary programs may take several months to years[16]. On-the-job training is typically short-term[6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Audio and Video Technicians in the US was $58,100 per year and $27.93 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Audio and Video Technicians is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 87,600 to 91,100 jobs (a change of +3,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Audio and Video Technicians: 10th percentile $37,990, 25th percentile $46,390, 75th percentile $77,560, 90th percentile $100,650. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 6,600 openings for Audio and Video Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Audio and Video Technicians: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Audio and Video Technicians was $64,630 per year and $31.07 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Audio and Video Technicians: 10th percentile $18.26, 25th percentile $22.30, 75th percentile $37.29, 90th percentile $48.39. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Audio and Video Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Audio and Video Technicians jobs: California 9,280; New York 7,990; Florida 6,000; Texas 4,280; Pennsylvania 3,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Audio and Video Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $79,610; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,540; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $74,380; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $73,100; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $72,300; North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $71,540; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,270; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $66,100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Audio and Video Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,800 (median $72,300); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,710 (median $64,900); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,490 (median $63,780); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,210 (median $74,380); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,820 (median $54,410); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 1,800 (median $56,660). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Broadcast, Sound, and Video Technicians" covers Audio and Video Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 27-4011.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 43%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Post-Secondary Certificate 20%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Audio and Video Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Audio and Video Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 27-4011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Audio Technician, Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician), Media Technician, Operations Technician, Stagehand, Video Technician. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of broadcast, sound, and video technicians in 2025: Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers 16%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 10% of Audio and Video Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Audio and Video Technicians: 2.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 70,230 people were employed as Audio and Video Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.