Audio and Video Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4011
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
• Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
• Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
• Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
• Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
• Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
• Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
• Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
• Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
• Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
• Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.

Tools and technology

Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Cisco Webex, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Broadcast Technicians
• Sound Engineering Technicians
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
• Lighting Technicians
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Robotics Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Audio and Video Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.