If you watch a video online or a program on television, or you listen to a radio show, you might think mainly about the actors or presenters but not as much about the people who keep the equipment running. However, the job of audio and video equipment technician is very important, and it could be the right job for you.

Recording audio or video clips can be quite complicated. With video, the technician must consider questions such as the amount of light, any background noise, and sometimes the weather if the video is being taken outside. For audio technicians, some of the factors are background noise, sound effects, and the different volumes of sound that need to go into the same recording. Getting the recording right often involves adjusting for people with loud or soft voices, watching for who is in the sun and who is in the shade, and much more.

Working as an audio or video equipment technician is much more complicated than just adjusting the volume for different people’s voices. People in this field need to know how the recording will look on a screen and sound on people’s radios or phones. Often, this requires going to the location where the audio or video will be recorded and testing various options for sound and lighting.

Some people may be able to learn this trade on the job, especially in smaller communications companies. However, most people get a certificate that takes from one to three years to complete. They learn techniques for choosing what to record, editing their files, and even doing minor repairs to the equipment. High school courses that are useful for this field include mathematics, English, and anything technical or artistic.

Jobs in this field are available in film and movie companies, but also in universities, schools, and other organizations. Sometimes, the work of audio or video equipment technician might be part of another job, such as teacher. Wages vary from one region to another, but they generally start below $20 per hour and can rise to more than $45 per hour. The average salary for this job is over $67,000 per year.

Audio and video equipment technicians need to know about their equipment and surroundings, but it also helps if they know how to research and tell a story. In some cases, the technicians might help with planning the recording and choosing the people to be involved, although often their role is limited to running the equipment.

People in this field should be reasonably healthy and strong since the job often involves lifting heavy equipment. The hours can be long, especially if a video depends on the weather or if the people involved in the project have other commitments that will take them away. Being organized and efficient is important in this career. Flexibility is very useful, since if a section of the recording is unusable, the technician would need to redo the work or find something to substitute for the original segment.

In Canada, much of the major video and audio work is done in Vancouver and Toronto, but jobs are also available elsewhere. Many small towns have their own radio stations, and small television networks can be a good place to look for a job. If you like the idea of working as an audio or video equipment operator, you can start developing your skills now already.

Bibliography

Indeed.com. “Event Audio Video Technical Lead (Video Specialist) – Winnipeg.” https://ca.indeed.com/Audio-Video-Equipment-Technicians-jobs?vjk=f14742916535eae2&advn=1938927.

Job Bank. “Audiovisual (AV) Technician in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/skills/5546/ca.

Study in Canada. “Audio and Video Recording Technicians (NOC 5225).” https://www.studyincanada.com/Careers/CareerProfile.aspx?CareerCode=5225avr.

WorkBC. “Audio and Video Recording Technicians.” https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/audio-and-video-recording-technicians.