How To Become An Audio/Video Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an audio/video engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Michael Rudisill

The audio/video (AV) engineer oversees the setting up, configuration, and maintenance of multimedia systems such as cameras, lighting, microphones, and control systems for a company. He/She coordinates the operation, repair, and testing of AV hardware and software and ensures they meet the company's needs. He/She prepares detailed AV engineering packages, which include specifications, drawings, and technical documents for the client. Also, he/she plans and supervises the workflow and training of technical staff. Furthermore, he/she develops and implements quality AV technology solutions that are functional and cost-effective for products, systems, or equipment.

To become an audio/video engineer, you need a degree in a related field with at least five years of relevant work experience. You must be conversant with engineering AV technologies and environments. You must possess interpersonal, problem-solving, time management, multitasking, and communication skills. The salary for these experts ranges between $65,271 and $79,648, with an average gross salary of $70,556.

What general advice would you give to an audio/video engineer?

Michael Rudisill

Department Head and Professor of Engineering Technology, Northern Michigan University

Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.

ScoreAudio/Video EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.7

Avg. Salary $85,179

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.39%

Asian 4.99%

Black or African American 9.68%

Hispanic or Latino 15.72%

Unknown 6.52%

White 62.69%

Gender

female 6.37%

male 93.63%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an audio/video engineer

Explore audio/video engineer education requirements

Most common audio/video engineer degrees

Bachelor's

53.3 %

Associate

27.4 %

Master's

8.4 %

Start to develop specific audio/video engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Crestron	8.83%
Polycom	8.00%
IP	6.99%
Autocad	6.85%
Troubleshoot	6.23%

Complete relevant audio/video engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New audio/video engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an audio/video engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real audio/video engineer resumes.

Research audio/video engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
Pre-Wire and retrofit wires and equipment.
Work with both Vizrt and Photoshop to make 3-D graphics.
Lead engineer for all custom Telepresence room solution, hard ware and software.

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