What is an av technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

The primary duty of an audiovisual (AV) technician is to set up and install audio and video equipment like cameras, projectors, speakers, TVs, video monitors, and the likes used to conduct live events such as concerts, meetings, sports games, and business conventions. They interact with clients to identify their needs and be able to put event coordinators at ease.

AV technicians conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure quality and performs corrective measures when necessary. As an employee, they may devise strategies to improve the performance of the company's AV equipment.

Many employers require applicants with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Certifications like the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) are a plus. One must also possess customer service, troubleshooting, communication, and organization skills. Tools for the job include audio and video equipment, IP network equipment, and computer systems. AV technicians earn about $37,963 yearly.

ScoreAV TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $44,144

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.7

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.10%

Black or African American 9.96%

Hispanic or Latino 16.50%

Unknown 6.24%

White 61.83%

Gender

female 9.50%

male 90.50%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

AV Technician career paths

Key steps to become an av technician

  1. Explore av technician education requirements

    Most common av technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    52.8 %

    Associate

    25.7 %

    High School Diploma

    11.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific av technician skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service11.36%
    Troubleshoot8.64%
    Ladders7.23%
    Projection5.98%
    Crestron5.67%
  3. Complete relevant av technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New av technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an av technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real av technician resumes.
  4. Research av technician duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain and manage multiple stages: FOH mix, monitor mix, and video presentation editing mix.
    • Provide technical support in all venues and resolve conflicts under high stress situations.
    • Route presentation material to in room LCD'S with a Crestron touch screen router.
    • Install, maintain and operate Polycom video teleconferencing equipment and software.
  5. Prepare your av technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your av technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an av technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable AV Technician Resume templates

    Build a professional AV Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your AV Technician resume.
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    AV Technician Resume
  6. Apply for av technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an av technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First AV Technician Job

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Average av technician salary

The average AV Technician salary in the United States is $44,144 per year or $21 per hour. Av technician salaries range between $28,000 and $67,000 per year.

Average AV Technician Salary
$44,144 Yearly
$21.22 hourly

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How do av technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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AV Technician reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Interaction with new technology and customer's

Cons

Getting under paid. Dealing with rude customers and people who think they know it all. But I love my job


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I really liked integration of multiple products in Audio Visual field such as multimedia projectors, multiple cameras

Cons

Nothing special


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Lack of micromanagement.

Cons

Seasonal spikes it workload during certain quarters and lack of work in off season for conferences.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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