Occupation Details
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$40,860.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$62,090.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$78,890.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
6,650
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
9,670
+302 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,111
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.5%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Assistive amplification systems
- Audio presentation systems
- Audioconferencing systems
- Audiovisual A/V mixers
- Cassette players
- Claw hammers
- Compact disk CD burners or players
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital camcorders
- Digital oscilloscopes
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Digital voltmeters DVM
- Integrated speaker systems
- Interactive whiteboards
- Laptop computers
- Laser pointers
- Light boards
- Liquid crystal display LCD projection systems
- Loudspeaker sets
- Man lifts
- Master control switchers
- Microphone mixers
- Motion picture projectors
- Noise meters
- Overhead display projectors
- Personal computers
- Plasma televisions
- Portable speaker systems
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Apple iMovie
- Blackboard software
- Cisco IOS
- Cisco Webex
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Corel Ulead DVD Workshop
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain records, reports, or files
- clean equipment or machinery
- make minor repairs to mechanical equipment
- install or set up equipment
- plan layout of electrical/electronic equipment installation
- maintain inventory of supplies
- convert information into instructional program
- coordinate educational content
- develop instructional materials
- demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
- teach others how to use audio-visual materials
- train workers in use of equipment
- recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
- explain rules, policies or regulations
- review assembled film or video tape on monitor
- review film, recordings, or rehearsals
- give direction in audio recording studio
- coordinate set construction, erection, or decoration activities
- confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
- coordinate activities of assistants
- operate film or sound editing equipment
- operate recording or broadcast studio controls
- operate sound-reproducing or recording equipment
- operate special visual effects equipment
- operate video recorders
- use stage lighting controls or instruments
- operate audio-visual equipment
- interpret information to formulate story ideas
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- organize story elements
- identify problems or improvements
- modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
- install electronic equipment, components, or systems
- analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
- plan or organize work
- use creativity in graphics
- create art from ideas
- develop movie sound track
- achieve special lighting or sound effects
- set sound mixing board control levels
- edit video film scenes
- compose scripts
- understand construction specifications
- use graphic arts techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use computer graphics design software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
- Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
- 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.
- Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
- Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
- Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
- Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
- Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
- Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
- Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
- Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
- Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
- Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
- Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
- Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
- Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
- Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
- Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
- Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
- Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
- Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Audiovisual and Broadcast Technicians
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreBroadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More