Skip to content

Software & systems

Audio visual technician

Audio visual technicians install and run screens, sound and lighting equipment at events and performances.

Annual Salary

£18,000 to £35,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; attending events or appointments

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Audio visual technician jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As an audio visual technician you could:

  • set up and test equipment
  • carry out safety checks and deal with faults
  • operate equipment during events
  • check and repair equipment
  • train other people to use equipment

Working environment

You could work at a conference centre, in a theatre, at a recording studio, at a college or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
College

There is no set entry route to become an audio visual technician.

It might help to do a level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology or a T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production. These courses will teach you some of the skills you'll need in an audio visual technician role.

Once you've finished the course, you could apply for a trainee job at a theatre, college or events company. Some employers might want you to have experience helping at a live event.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Creative Industries Production Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or an Audio Visual Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

If you'd like to install cinema, sound, lighting or security systems in homes, you could apply for a Smart Home Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could start as an assistant technician and work your way up.

You might find it useful to have experience and qualifications in broadcasting, sound technology or electronics.

Volunteering and work experience

You could volunteer with a charity, college or theatre group. This could help you get experience of setting up and running audio visual technology and software.

More information

Career tips

When applying for jobs, you'll find it useful if you have experience of setting up and using audio, visual and computer technology.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Production Services Association (PSA) or the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) for training, professional recognition and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about audio visual careers and training from ScreenSkills.

You can also find out about working in creative industries from Discover Creative Careers.

Showing jobs in:
View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:manage an audio visual department; specialise in lighting or sound design; become an events manager; move into equipment and services sales; become self employed and install equipment in homes

You could join organisations like PLASA or the Production Services Association, for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

You can find out more about audio-visual careers and training from ScreenSkills.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of audio-visual operating systems, hardware and software
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
My top 5 skills
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register