National
| Median wages (2008) |
$18.30 hourly, $38,050 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
50,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
28,000 additional employees |
27-4011.00 - Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
Set up or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.
Sample of reported job titles:
Production Assistant, Audio Visual Technician, Master Control Operator (MCO), Broadcast Engineer, Stagehand, Videographer, Audio/Visual Manager, Audio/Visual Operator, Equipment Technician, Master Control Engineer
Tasks
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality, and notify directors of any possible problems.
- Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds, or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment used to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, cable programs, and motion pictures.
- Design layouts of audio and video equipment, and perform upgrades and maintenance.
- Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems in classrooms.
- Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
- Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
- Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Audio mixing consoles — Microphone mixers; Sound boards |
| Cassette players or recorders — Cassette players; Videotape duplicating equipment |
| Digital camcorders or video cameras — Digital camcorders; Video cameras |
| Loudspeakers — Integrated speaker systems; Loudspeaker sets; Portable speaker systems |
| Media control systems — Audiovisual A/V mixers; Master control switchers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Video creation and editing software — Apple Final Cut Pro; Apple iMovie; Corel Ulead DVD Workshop |
| Web page creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver; Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
