If you’re looking for a trade that’s trending upward, you might want to consider a career as an audiovisual (AV) technician. The next three years have been predicted as a time of consistent growth for both AV sales and service sales. During that period, the AV field is expected to generate 15,000 new jobs each year. So now is a great time to look at what AV technicians do, what they’re paid and how to become one.
What Do AV Technicians Do?
AV technicians set up, operate, maintain and repair sound and visual equipment used in live events. Common tools of the trade include microphones, video recorders, projectors, cameras, spotlights, stage lights and sound mixing equipment.
How Much Does an AV Technician Make?
Full-time audiovisual technicians make a median national salary of $55,671, and an experienced AV technician can expect to earn $48,000 to $66,000 annually. Part-time technicians can bring in anywhere from $15 to $30 an hour, depending on their experience and location.
What Do You Need to Become an AV Technician?
- Education – A high school degree is necessary, and a bachelor’s degree is helpful, but not viewed as vital.
- Experience with technology – This could be as simple as a strong working knowledge of consumer electronics and a degree of comfort with cables, wires and other connections.
- Working knowledge of electrical safety – While you don’t have to be a certified electrician, knowing the fundamentals of rewiring, grounding and wiring outlets is a big plus.
- Experience in either music, theater or other live events – Have you volunteered with lights or sound at a local community theater? Have you ever been in a band (or at least a roadie)? These types of experiences can start you down the path of an AV technician.
What Other Traits Does the Typical AV Technician Have?
There isn’t really such a thing as a typical AV technician, as they come from a variety of backgrounds. No matter what path they take to being an AV tech, though, several key traits can usually be found in successful ones.
- The desire to travel to and work in a wide variety of environments – One week, you might be working in a school; the next, you might be installing a video wall in a retail setting.
- Flexibility and creativity to troubleshoot on-site – AV technicians are often called upon to perform last-minute “miracles,” as anything that can go wrong during an event often does.
- Good communication skills – You’ll need these for both reporting to supervisors and managing customer concerns.
- A passion to create cool experiences – Being an AV technician is almost like a back door into the entertainment industry, and those who love their jobs look at each new project through the lens of showbiz.
Contact Our Recruiters to Start Your Career as an AV Technician
Are you ready to step on the AV stage? TradeSTAR works with top employers with several offices across Texas for your convenience. If you’re on the hunt for a technician opportunity, contact our team today or browse our online job search portal.