Audio and Video Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Audio and Video Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $74,380 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,768 take-home, or $4,814 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$7,534
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,612
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,079
- District of Columbia income tax$3,388
- Take-home pay$57,768
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Audio and Video Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,950 | $22.09 | $37,510 | $3,126 |
| 25th percentile | $58,320 | $28.04 | $46,696 | $3,891 |
| Median (50th) | $74,380 | $35.76 | $57,768 | $4,814 |
| 75th percentile | $98,800 | $47.50 | $72,906 | $6,076 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,690 | $58.02 | $86,445 | $7,204 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,380 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median audio and video technician's $57,768 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,055 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.6× the national concentration of audio and video technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for audio and video technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 of 30 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic City, NJ | $79,610 | $61,954 | $62,671 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $74,380 | $57,768 | $53,055 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $62,770 | $52,616 | $52,503 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $69,270 | $57,561 | $51,795 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $75,540 | $58,159 | $50,305 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $62,910 | $50,305 | $50,156 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $72,300 | $56,386 | $50,093 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $65,270 | $51,888 | $49,660 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 30 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a audio and video technician make in Washington, DC?
The median audio and video technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $74,380 a year, or about $35.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,320 and $98,800.
What is a audio and video technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $74,380 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $57,768 a year ($4,814 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,388 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a audio and video technician?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $58,100. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,055 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a audio and video technician afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median audio and video technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Artists and Related Workers, All Other — $125,050
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other — $121,680
- Writer and Author — $108,460
- Art Director — $105,990
- Public Relations Specialist — $101,680
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $101,020
- Producer and Director — $100,270
- Technical Writer — $99,910
- Interpreter and Translator — $94,510
- Film and Video Editor — $91,750
- Graphic Designer — $85,420
- Editor — $84,800