How Much Does an AV Technician Make in 2025?
An AV technician sets up, operates, and repairs audio equipment, video monitors, mixing boards, cables, and other visual systems. The demand for this role is growing as businesses rely more on AV technology for sporting events, meetings, and other events. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for AV technicians is expected to grow by 3 percent from 2023 to 2033.
With higher demand, salaries are rising. Salary.com reported that the average AV technician earns $52,790 per year as of February 2025. This amount varies based on experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be covered later in this guide.
What is the Average AV Technician’s Salary?
As of February 2025, the average audio visual technician salary in the United States is $52,790 per year. For the hourly wage, AV technicians have an average salary of $25 per hour, with rates ranging from $19 to $32 per hour.
2025 AV Technician Average Salary: $52,790 per year ($25 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for an AV technician are $1,015 and $4,399, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for an AV Technician?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for AV technicians starts at $40,372 and can reach as high as $65,972 per year, with most earnings falling between $46,290 and $59,690 per year.
However, as mentioned earlier, it's important that the salary range for AV technicians may vary and be affected by factors such as education, level of experience, and location.
AV Technician Salary Range: $40,372 to $65,972 per year ($19 to $32 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19 | $776 | $3,364 | $40,372 |
| 25th | $22 | $890 | $3,858 | $46,290 |
| 50th (Median) | $25 | $1,015 | $4,399 | $52,790 |
| 75th | $29 | $1,148 | $4,974 | $59,690 |
| 90th | $32 | $1,269 | $5,498 | $65,972 |
AV Technician Salary Factors
Several factors affect an AV technician's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below, we break down each factor to explain how it influences earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for AV technicians, based on years of experience, ranges from $51,420 per year for entry-level to $54,189 per year for technicians with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level AV Technician | <1 | $51,420 |
| Intermediate Level AV Technician | <1 | $52,621 |
| Senior Level AV Technician | 2-4 | $53,666 |
| Specialist Level AV Technician | 5-8 | $53,980 |
| Expert Level AV Technician | 8+ | $54,189 |
Place of Work
According to the BLS, the industry or workplace an audio visual technician works in can impact their salary. For example, AV technicians in the motion picture and sound recording industries can earn up to 68.44% more than those in religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations in 2023.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Motion picture and sound recording industries | $78,090 |
| Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries | $50,750 |
| Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers | $46,820 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $46,360 |
Skill Set
AV technicians with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that technicians with maintenance inspection skills can earn 8.08 % more than those without.
According to the report, an AV technician with technical troubleshooting skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 7.58%, followed by skills like equipment maintenance and voice communications technology.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance inspection | 10.32% | +8.08% |
| Technical troubleshooting | 10.72% | +7.58% |
| Equipment maintenance | 10.62% | +7.46% |
| Voice communications technology | 10.42% | +7.10% |
| Technical support | 10.62% | +7.05% |
| Hardware troubleshooting | 10.52% | +6.97% |
AV Technician Salary by City and State
The geographic location where ah audio visual technician belongs can also influence the potential salary for the role. This data is critical for those analyzing salary trends, negotiating compensation, or planning career moves in the AV industry.
Highest Paying States for AV Technician
Based on Salary.com pay data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for AV technicians in the United States, at $58,690 per year, followed by California at $58,190.
- District of Columbia: $58,690 ($28 per hour)
- California: $58,190 ($28 per hour)
- New Jersey: $57,790 ($28 per hour)
- Alaska: $57,490 ($28 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $57,390 ($28 per hour)
AV Technician Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,490 |
| Alabama | $48,490 |
| Arkansas | $48,090 |
| Arizona | $51,390 |
| California | $58,190 |
| Colorado | $53,790 |
| Connecticut | $56,690 |
| District of Columbia | $58,690 |
| Delaware | $53,590 |
| Florida | $50,090 |
| Georgia | $50,990 |
| Hawaii | $55,090 |
| Iowa | $50,490 |
| Idaho | $49,190 |
| Illinois | $53,990 |
| Indiana | $51,190 |
| Kansas | $50,190 |
| Kentucky | $49,690 |
| Louisiana | $50,190 |
| Massachusetts | $57,390 |
| Maryland | $54,390 |
| Maine | $51,390 |
| Michigan | $52,090 |
| Minnesota | $53,990 |
| Missouri | $50,290 |
| Mississippi | $47,090 |
| Montana | $49,290 |
| North Carolina | $50,690 |
| North Dakota | $52,190 |
| Nebraska | $49,690 |
| New Hampshire | $53,690 |
| New Jersey | $57,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,690 |
| Nevada | $52,990 |
| New York | $56,290 |
| Ohio | $51,590 |
| Oklahoma | $48,790 |
| Oregon | $53,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $55,090 |
| South Carolina | $49,790 |
| South Dakota | $47,490 |
| Tennessee | $48,890 |
| Texas | $51,690 |
| Utah | $50,190 |
| Virginia | $52,890 |
| Vermont | $51,790 |
| Washington | $56,890 |
| Wisconsin | $52,090 |
| West Virginia | $47,490 |
| Wyoming | $50,590 |
Highest Paying Cities for AV Technicians
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for AV technicians at $66,190 per year or $32 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for AV technicians are:
- San Jose, California: $66,190 (or $32 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $65,990 (or $32 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $64,390 (or $31 per hour)
- New York, New York: $61,590 (or $30 per hour)
- Queens Village, New Jersey: $61,190 (or $29 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $60,790 (or $29 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as an AV Technician
AV technicians can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Develop hands-on experience: Employers usually pay more to AV technicians with experience. For example, an entry-level AV technician may earn around $51,420, while an expert-level technician can make $54,189.
- Learn in-demand skills: Skills like maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment upkeep for video equipment are in high demand. For example, AV technicians with maintenance inspection expertise may see an 8.08% salary increase, according to Salary.com.
- Get certifications: Industry-recognized certifications and continuing education can improve credibility and job prospects. Consider certifications from the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) or AVIXA, such as the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS).
- Aim for leadership roles: Moving into roles like lead AV technician or AV project manager often offers higher salary potential.
- Work in high-paying areas: Salaries vary by location, and working in cities with high demand for AV professionals can result in higher pay. For example, working in San Jose, California, can offer an annual salary of $66,190.
- Negotiate: Research industry pay rates and be prepared to negotiate based on your experience, skills, and certifications during job applications or reviews. Currently, the average AV technician salary in the United States is $52,790 per year.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of February 18, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for AV technicians in the United States is $56,014.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$52,790/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$58,015/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$58,746/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$58,378/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$52,143/year
