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Audio visual technician vs camera operator

The differences between audio visual technicians and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a camera operator has an average salary of $43,609, which is higher than the $43,529 average annual salary of an audio visual technician.

The top three skills for an audio visual technician include customer service, customer satisfaction and audio visual equipment. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.

Audio visual technician vs camera operator overview

Audio Visual TechnicianCamera Operator
Yearly salary$43,529$43,609
Hourly rate$20.93$20.97
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs15,38726,006
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4237
Years of experience2-

What does an audio visual technician do?

An audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment. An audiovisual technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and system procedures to perform setups and installment accurately.

What does a camera operator do?

A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation. They also deliver the perfect footage on different angles for easy editing techniques alongside the technical crews and director's supervision. A camera operator should be communicative, as well as having excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to adhere to the demands of production and schedules.

Audio visual technician vs camera operator salary

Audio visual technicians and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Audio Visual TechnicianCamera Operator
Average salary$43,529$43,609
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $66,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateDelawareNew York
Best paying companySchool of Visual ConceptsApple
Best paying industryTechnologyEducation

Differences between audio visual technician and camera operator education

There are a few differences between an audio visual technician and a camera operator in terms of educational background:

Audio Visual TechnicianCamera Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Audio visual technician vs camera operator demographics

Here are the differences between audio visual technicians' and camera operators' demographics:

Audio Visual TechnicianCamera Operator
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 86.8% Female, 13.2%Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between audio visual technician and camera operator duties and responsibilities

Audio visual technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain the wireless system, network, servers, and desktop PCs.
  • Manage new hardware, maintain network integrity, troubleshoot firewalls and gateways, and transfer IP addresses.
  • Manage software to insure protection from miscellaneous online activities, troubleshoot and repair hardware and software to maintain PC stability.
  • Provide audio/visual technical support for projection systems and portable direct video calling terminals.
  • Cable types: cat5, cat6, VGA, HDMI, DVI and coax.
  • Operate PC/Mac base computer workstations.
  • Show more

Camera operator example responsibilities.

  • Set up and operate cameras during basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and softball games.
  • Work involve studio productions and field shoots doing camera work, control room work, and grip work.
  • Live footage capture at indoor and outdoor events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse.
  • Operate studio equipment (camera, audio, teleprompter) and assist producers and in-studio guests for live talk shows.
  • Gather camera shots of a variety of sports at school games such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
  • Make sure the anchors have the right microphones, IFB, scripts and rundowns.
  • Show more

Audio visual technician vs camera operator skills

Common audio visual technician skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 12%
  • Audio Visual Equipment, 9%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Technical Aspects, 8%
  • Equipment Operation, 8%
Common camera operator skills
  • Video Production, 24%
  • Camera Equipment, 13%
  • Camera Operation, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • CCTV, 4%
  • Live Broadcasts, 4%

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