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Audio-visual technician

Also called video technician, audio technician, audio-video operator

Audio-visual technicians set up, operate and maintain equipment to record and edit images and sound for radio and television broadcasts, at live events and for telecommunication signals.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects45 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Information and communications techniciansWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,700 (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Information and communications techniciansWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree. 3 in 10 train through vocational routes.Information and communications techniciansWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Broadcasting and audio-visual technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Broadcasting and audio-visual technicians · ILO
  • Controlling equipment to record sound
  • Controlling equipment to edit and mix image and sound recordings to ensure satisfactory quality and to create special image and sound effects
  • Applying knowledge of principles and practices of image and sound recording and editing in order to identify and solve problems
  • Controlling transmitting and broadcast systems and satellite systems for radio and television programmes
  • Controlling radio communications systems, satellite services and multiplex systems on land, sea or in aircraft
  • Applying knowledge of principles and practices of broadcasting, telecommunications terminals and transmissions systems, in order to identify and solve problems
  • Making emergency repairs to equipment
Coordinate audio system programmesPlan audiovisual recordingMaintain audiovisual equipmentSupport audio system installationOperate broadcast equipment+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Audio and Video Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as information and communications technicians in the EU
1.49m2.03m2.48m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
368,000 new jobs 590,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Information and communications technicians45
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of broadcasting and audio-visual technicians, 7 a surplus.
Broadcasting and audio-visual technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,700 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in audio-visual techniques and media production is the usual route.

Highest qualification of information and communications technicians (EU, 2025)
Degree 46%Vocational 33%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 8%
Field that teaches it
Audio-visual techniques and media production
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Arts and humanities graduates in a matching job
52% in the EU

1,154 institutions in the EU offer arts and humanities bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.35 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Controlling equipment to edit and mix image and sound recordings to ensure satisfactory quality and to create special image and sound effects0.52
Applying knowledge of principles and practices of image and sound recording and editing in order to identify and solve problems0.40
Controlling transmitting and broadcast systems and satellite systems for radio and television programmes0.39
Applying knowledge of principles and practices of broadcasting, telecommunications terminals and transmissions systems, in order to identify and solve problems0.39
Controlling radio communications systems, satellite services and multiplex systems on land, sea or in aircraft0.33
Controlling equipment to record sound0.28
Making emergency repairs to equipment0.17

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for broadcasting and audio-visual technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).