Hiring guide · Arts, Media & Design
How to Hire an Audio and Video Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring audio and video technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $58,100), recruit through portfolio sites and creative communities, verify AVIXA CTS where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for audio and video technicians
There are about 87,600 audio and video technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 6,600 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.9% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $37,990–$46,390 | $18.26–$22.30 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $100,650 | $48.39 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Audio mixing
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- AVIXA CTS
- Dante certification
- Manufacturer certifications
- Experience with audio mixers
Where to find audio and video technicians
- Portfolio sites and creative communities
- Art, design, film and journalism school career centers
- Freelancers who have already worked with your team
- Professional associations such as AIGA and PRSA
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: AV Technician, Event Technician, Media Technician, Production Technician
Screening checklist
- Portfolio or reel review
- A short paid test project
- Software proficiency check
- References from clients or creative directors
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Describe an event you supported.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain your role.
2. “How do you troubleshoot a no-signal problem?”
What a strong answer includes: Walk through steps.
3. “What equipment do you know?”
What a strong answer includes: Name gear.
4. “Can you work early and late?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
5. “Do you have the CTS?”
What a strong answer includes: Share status.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Set Up a Presentation System (see the steps)
- Mic a Presenter (see the steps)
- Stream a Hybrid Event (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Signal flow, XLR, HDMI
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Audio and Video Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Audio and Video Technician training. Show them the path forward: Stagehand or AV Assistant → AV Technician → Lead Technician → AV Project Manager or Director.
Hiring audio and video technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay an audio and video technician?
The U.S. median wage for audio and video technicians is $58,100 per year ($27.93/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($46,390), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($77,560). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an audio and video technician have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for AVIXA CTS and Dante certification where relevant, plus skills such as audio mixing, video switching, and projection and displays.
How long does it take to train a new audio and video technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes 3–12 months. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”