How much does a audio and video technician make?
The median audio and video technician in the United States earns $58,100 per year, about $27.93 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all audio and video technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-4011.
Audio and video technician salary range
Pay for audio and video technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,650. The average (mean) wage of $64,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,990 | $18.26 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,390 | $22.30 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,100 | $27.93 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,560 | $37.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,650 | $48.39 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for audio and video technicians (SOC 27-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Audio and video technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Audio and video technicians earn the most in District of Columbia at $78,770 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $43,500. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $78,770 | 830 |
| New Jersey | $71,040 | 2,280 |
| Maryland | $70,040 | 1,770 |
| Washington | $69,270 | 1,360 |
| New York | $67,600 | 7,990 |
| California | $64,620 | 9,280 |
| Rhode Island | $64,070 | 150 |
| Nevada | $62,770 | 1,580 |
| Connecticut | $62,120 | 820 |
| Alaska | $62,060 | 70 |
| Illinois | $60,740 | 3,020 |
| Hawaii | $60,150 | 430 |
| Delaware | $59,700 | 130 |
| Michigan | $58,300 | 1,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,890 | 3,080 |
| Colorado | $56,790 | 830 |
| New Hampshire | $56,180 | 170 |
| Florida | $54,230 | 6,000 |
| Virginia | $53,960 | 1,900 |
| Minnesota | $53,800 | 960 |
| Oregon | $52,000 | 630 |
| South Carolina | $52,000 | 440 |
| Vermont | $51,500 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $51,390 | 760 |
| Georgia | $51,350 | 1,630 |
| Iowa | $51,030 | 290 |
| Missouri | $50,680 | 1,370 |
| Nebraska | $50,660 | 290 |
| Alabama | $50,160 | 320 |
| North Dakota | $50,110 | 100 |
| Kansas | $50,030 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $49,970 | 1,640 |
| Idaho | $49,950 | 210 |
| Ohio | $49,890 | 1,430 |
| Indiana | $49,870 | 1,390 |
| Wyoming | $49,680 | 50 |
| Texas | $49,440 | 4,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,010 | 540 |
| Utah | $48,730 | 1,880 |
| Kentucky | $48,320 | 600 |
| Arizona | $47,140 | 1,340 |
| New Mexico | $47,070 | 420 |
| Montana | $46,700 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $46,700 | 1,870 |
| West Virginia | $46,590 | 200 |
| Maine | $46,080 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $44,480 | 860 |
| Arkansas | $43,910 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $43,500 | 200 |
State median wages for audio and video technicians (SOC 27-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for audio and video technicians
The BLS projects employment of audio and video technicians to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 87,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 91,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,600 openings a year for audio and video technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an audio and video technician
The typical entry-level education for audio and video technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an audio and video technician earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $78,770) and the lowest (Mississippi, $43,500) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 70,230 people work as audio and video technicians in the United States. At $58,100 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Audio and video technician salary FAQ
How much does an audio and video technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an audio and video technician is $27.93. The middle half of audio and video technicians earn between $22.30 and $37.29 per hour.
What is the highest audio and video technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of audio and video technicians earn more than $100,650 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an audio and video technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an audio and video technician is $58,100. The average (mean) wage of $64,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an audio and video technician a well paid job?
At $58,100 a year, an audio and video technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 70,230 people work as audio and video technicians in the United States.
Which state pays audio and video technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for audio and video technicians at $78,770 a year. New Jersey ($71,040) and Maryland ($70,040) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an audio and video technician a good career?
Employment of audio and video technicians is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an audio and video technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for audio and video technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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