Audio and Video Technician Salary
Audio and Video Technicians earn a median $58,100 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What audio and video technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.9% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 6,600
- Self-employed
- 10%
Employment of audio and video technicians is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Audio and Video Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,792
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,602
- Medicare (1.45%)$842
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$48,863
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,990 | $18.26 | $32,705 |
| 25th percentile | $46,390 | $22.30 | $39,454 |
| Median (50th) | $58,100 | $27.93 | $48,863 |
| 75th percentile | $77,560 | $37.29 | $63,393 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,650 | $48.39 | $79,637 |
Best cities for audio and video technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $72,300 | $56,386 | $50,093 | 7,800 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $63,780 | $50,415 | $48,665 | 2,490 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $64,900 | $51,504 | $45,351 | 4,710 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $72,300
- Los Angeles, CA — $64,900
- Chicago, IL — $63,780
Audio and Video Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $78,770 | +9.4% | $60,518 | $39,150 – $124,130 | 830 |
| New Jersey | $71,040 | −5.6% | $56,429 | $47,320 – $106,780 | 2,280 |
| Maryland | $70,040 | +17.1% | $55,140 | $47,720 – $102,300 | 1,770 |
| Washington | $69,270 | −5.3% | $57,561 | $49,900 – $121,740 | 1,360 |
| New York | $67,600 | +6.2% | $53,333 | $42,620 – $115,010 | 7,990 |
| California | $64,620 | +3.8% | $51,305 | $39,950 – $120,690 | 9,280 |
| Rhode Island | $64,070 | +11.9% | $51,874 | $41,470 – $83,900 | 150 |
| Nevada | $62,770 | +5.9% | $52,616 | $40,910 – $97,830 | 1,580 |
| Connecticut | $62,120 | −1.4% | $50,223 | $41,470 – $100,510 | 820 |
| Alaska | $62,060 | +29.1% | $52,045 | $43,040 – $89,240 | 70 |
| Illinois | $60,740 | +10.4% | $48,123 | $31,200 – $108,610 | 3,020 |
| Hawaii | $60,150 | −0.0% | $47,469 | $35,380 – $84,260 | 430 |
| Delaware | $59,700 | −13.9% | $47,512 | $48,370 – $78,760 | 130 |
| Michigan | $58,300 | +11.6% | $46,797 | $37,640 – $77,610 | 1,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,890 | −1.0% | $46,145 | $38,590 – $93,080 | 3,080 |
| Colorado | $56,790 | +3.4% | $46,020 | $41,700 – $82,630 | 830 |
| New Hampshire | $56,180 | −8.5% | $47,321 | $34,560 – $81,950 | 170 |
| Florida | $54,230 | +8.1% | $45,754 | $37,980 – $81,010 | 6,000 |
| Virginia | $53,960 | +5.8% | $43,248 | $39,060 – $85,320 | 1,900 |
| Minnesota | $53,800 | +13.4% | $43,273 | $34,960 – $79,320 | 960 |
| Oregon | $52,000 | −3.4% | $40,242 | $36,550 – $80,340 | 630 |
| South Carolina | $52,000 | +10.9% | $41,999 | $40,570 – $113,840 | 440 |
| Vermont | $51,500 | +22.1% | $42,269 | $35,070 – $82,890 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $51,390 | +6.4% | $41,992 | $36,440 – $82,230 | 760 |
| Georgia | $51,350 | +0.7% | $41,397 | $39,470 – $104,730 | 1,630 |
| Iowa | $51,030 | +0.6% | $41,895 | $35,980 – $77,910 | 290 |
| Missouri | $50,680 | −10.8% | $41,457 | $37,830 – $85,150 | 1,370 |
| Nebraska | $50,660 | +4.5% | $41,460 | $35,380 – $76,690 | 290 |
| Alabama | $50,160 | +16.0% | $40,241 | $23,660 – $80,090 | 320 |
| North Dakota | $50,110 | +9.6% | $42,443 | $40,680 – $76,770 | 100 |
| Kansas | $50,030 | +6.3% | $40,387 | $38,700 – $80,820 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $49,970 | +4.1% | $42,331 | $32,830 – $84,390 | 1,640 |
| Idaho | $49,950 | +6.7% | $40,776 | $37,790 – $88,470 | 210 |
| Ohio | $49,890 | +4.9% | $41,677 | $37,110 – $79,590 | 1,430 |
| Indiana | $49,870 | +3.5% | $40,809 | $31,880 – $70,320 | 1,390 |
| Wyoming | $49,680 | −16.3% | $42,098 | $47,870 – $69,140 | 50 |
| Texas | $49,440 | +0.3% | $41,905 | $34,810 – $79,570 | 4,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,010 | +3.6% | $39,900 | $37,140 – $77,800 | 540 |
| Utah | $48,730 | +17.1% | $40,108 | $30,440 – $126,970 | 1,880 |
| Kentucky | $48,320 | +16.2% | $39,432 | $34,820 – $78,610 | 600 |
| Arizona | $47,140 | +2.9% | $39,087 | $37,910 – $75,390 | 1,340 |
| New Mexico | $47,070 | −2.4% | $38,944 | $26,260 – $62,090 | 420 |
| Montana | $46,700 | +7.4% | $38,265 | $37,660 – $65,370 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $46,700 | +6.5% | $38,349 | $36,380 – $64,300 | 1,870 |
| West Virginia | $46,590 | −19.7% | $38,246 | $35,500 – $87,920 | 200 |
| Maine | $46,080 | +5.1% | $37,277 | $40,760 – $71,340 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $44,480 | +10.5% | $36,972 | $36,470 – $63,140 | 860 |
| Arkansas | $43,910 | +13.7% | $35,962 | $31,780 – $78,190 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $43,500 | +31.0% | $36,124 | $27,970 – $61,500 | 200 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Film and Video Editor | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Interpreter and Translator | $60,170 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a audio and video technician make?
The national median salary for audio and video technicians is $58,100 a year ($27.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,990 and the top 10% earn over $100,650. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays audio and video technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $78,770. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many audio and video technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 70,230 people work as audio and video technicians nationwide.