What does a media technician do?
Media technicians are professionals who are responsible for setting up and operating audio-visual and computer media equipment and materials. To enhance meetings, lectures, seminars, these technicians are required to schedule and assist the usage of equipment in academic or business settings. They must identify and perform troubleshooting with technical difficulties with online streaming and must effectively communicate with the staff from the information technology (IT) department. Media technicians must also identify sound or multimedia requirements for a given task and perform appropriate actions to produce this sound or media.
Media technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real media technician resumes:
- Lead false-positive team to identify and resolve network service issues and produce a manual for outsource providers to troubleshoot technical issues.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions, proofread and edit marketing materials, manage magazine inventory.
- Provide technical support for VTC conference call monitoring, performance reports, troubleshooting of AV/VTC issues and audio/video conferencing relate issues.
- Provide private IP address ranges for testing.
- Work with Resolume and Watchout projection mapping software.
- Input outgoing social media messages into Hootsuite and Facebook daily.
- Create visuals and graphics for blog with AdobeSuite software and circulate on Pinterest.
- Shoot and edit (Photoshop) product photos for weekly #PhotoFriday Facebook campaign.
- Set up various equipment including computers, projectors, IP phones, cameras, etc.
- Perform photo retouching, and manipulation for images used in custom DVD sleeve inserts, and disc faces.
- Assist with basic PC checkups of new computer systems and help with hardware and software upgrades and diagnostics.
- Support DVD authoring and video on demand (VOD) production of movies for airline and various media clients.
- Provide support for operating, scheduling, troubleshooting, maintaining and providing efficient and effective VTC support to the organization.
- Assist hotel guests in conference spaces with operation of equipment such as LCD projectors, wired/wireless microphones, HDTV's.
- Configure and provide local support for Polycom products.
Media technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Media Technicians are proficient in Video Production, Troubleshoot, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Media Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Video Production, 14%
Provide technical assistance for campus events through audio engineering, video production, classroom technology maintenance and video editing.
- Troubleshoot, 9%
Worked directly with clients and internal staff from Client Services and Production Services to coordinate efficient order processing and troubleshoot problems.
- Technical Support, 5%
Directed technical support and audio visual/computer equipment setup for academic, administrative, and public events.
- Windows, 5%
Advised and assisted clients with upgrading systems to Microsoft Windows 7, which included both hardware and software upgrades.
- Audio Equipment, 4%
Provided a variety digital and audio equipment for students and faculty who were in need of either or both.
- Visual Equipment, 4%
Delivered media equipment and managed audio and visual equipment for campus events.
"video production," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" are among the most common skills that media technicians use at work. You can find even more media technician responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a media technician to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what media technicians do because "technicians need to communicate with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that clients’ needs are met and that equipment is set up properly before broadcasts, live performances, and presentations." Additionally, a media technician resume shows how media technicians use communication skills: "tested communication functionality of equipment, handled all media files, and monitored meetings for potential technical issues. "
Computer skills. Another essential skill to perform media technician duties is computer skills. Media technicians responsibilities require that "technicians use computer systems to program equipment and edit audio and video recordings." Media technicians also use computer skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided reading and literature support and utilized expert knowledge of various computer programs to facilitate childhood learning. "
Manual dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of media technicians is manual dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday media technician duties, as "some technicians set up audio and video equipment and cables, a job that requires a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "led false-positive team to identify and resolve network service issues and produce a manual for outsourced providers to troubleshoot technical issues. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain media technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a media technician rely on this skill, as "technicians need to recognize equipment problems and propose possible solutions to them." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what media technicians do: "performed video compression for dvd projects using both the sony dva-1100 and sonic solutions dvd creator authoring/compression systems. "
The three companies that hire the most media technicians are:
- Oracle46 media technicians jobs
- Deloitte33 media technicians jobs
- Gray Television25 media technicians jobs
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Compare different media technicians
Media technician vs. On-air personality
On-Air personalities are celebrities with a platform on broadcast media. They are usually radio hosts hosting a talk show, a podcast, or even a music program. On-Air Personalities are influential people whose opinions are revered by their loyal followers. They recommend fashion items, music, places, or events, mostly depending on their advertising partners. On-Air personalities usually invite guests to their program. They would talk about different topics related to a theme or the main genre of the program. They should be engaging, good communicators, and confident.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media technician responsibilities require skills like "video production," "troubleshoot," "technical support," and "windows." Meanwhile a typical on-air personality has skills in areas such as "facebook," "fcc," "wide orbit," and "control board." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, on-air personalities reach similar levels of education than media technicians. On-air personalities are 2.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Media technician vs. Videographer
A videographer specializes in shooting and editing high-definition videos of different events, making them presentable to clients. They are primarily responsible for having their video equipment, coordinating with clients to learn any preferences or particular requests, capturing and recording from the best angle, and producing results quickly and accurately. Most of the time, a videographer may travel to different places, direct clients on what to do during filming, and edit any obstructions to produce an optimal result. Furthermore, it is essential to build rapport with clients to establish a client base and earn more projects.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real media technician resumes. While media technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "troubleshoot," "technical support," "windows," and "visual equipment," videographers use skills like "training videos," "video content," "photography," and "motion graphics."
On average, videographers earn a lower salary than media technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, videographers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $41,551. Whereas media technicians have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $51,453.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Videographers tend to reach similar levels of education than media technicians. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Media technician vs. Video coordinator
A video coordinator normally works with sports teams to help them curate video footage of their games and training sessions. One important aspect of their job to travel away with the team for their games. Their responsibilities include handling video cameras or equipment, compiling breakdowns of some plays or techniques, and critically analyzing the team's performance to inform future practice sessions and strategy. They may also be expected to help with a few administrative tasks and to help with creating flyers or mailings.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, media technicians are more likely to have skills like "technical support," "windows," "audio equipment," and "visual equipment." But a video coordinator is more likely to have skills like "video content," "ncaa," "student athletes," and "photoshop."
Video coordinators make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $39,767. On the other hand, media technicians are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $51,453.Most video coordinators achieve a similar degree level compared to media technicians. For example, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Media technician vs. Audio visual coordinator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between media technicians and audio visual coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a media technician might have more use for skills like "video production," "troubleshoot," "technical support," and "windows." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of audio visual coordinators require skills like "audio visual equipment," "store management," "sales floor," and "visual presentation. "
Audio visual coordinators reach similar levels of education compared to media technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of media technician
Updated January 8, 2025
