Audio & Video Technology
Quick Facts: Audio & Video Technology Training
Where it's offered
Audio & Video Technology programs are offered at 26 schools across 15 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $22,235/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 10 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Audio & Video Technology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 26 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 26/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Audio & Video Technology Graduates Do
Your career could start on the ground as an audio and video technician, the person setting up microphones, running cables, and operating sound mixers for live concerts or corporate events. Alternatively, you might find your place in a post-production suite as a film and video editor, meticulously piecing together raw footage, color grading scenes, and syncing audio to create a polished final cut for a web series or commercial.
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Many begin by assisting senior technicians or editors, learning the trade on real-world projects. With experience, you can become a lead tech managing events, a freelance camera operator, or an independent editor with your own clients. Your starting salary grows significantly as you build a portfolio and specialize. Senior technicians and in-demand editors who master complex systems or develop a unique creative style command top-tier wages, with some launching their own production companies.
While some traditional roles are shifting, overall demand is steady, with solid growth in video editing and live event production. AI tools are becoming part of the workflow, helping with tasks like logging footage or suggesting edits. However, the creative decisions of an editor and the hands-on problem-solving of a technician setting up a complex live system remain fundamentally human skills.
Students considering Audio & Video Technology also weigh Communications Technology, Film & Photography, and Music — see each trade's earnings and school count side by side.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 10 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Audio & Video Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Audio Operator
RAPIDS 879 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $37K – $53,920 – $80K | -2.8% |
|
Camera Operator
RAPIDS 955 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $68,810 – $102K | 1.2% |
|
Digital Video Editor (Existing Title: Film Or Video Tape Editor)
RAPIDS 2070CB |
Competency | Competency | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Field Engineer (Radio & Tv)
RAPIDS 960 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $37K – $53,920 – $80K | -2.8% |
|
Film Or Videotape Editor
RAPIDS 127 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Light Technician
RAPIDS 276 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $54,830 – $74K | 3.3% |
|
Photographer, Motion Picture
RAPIDS 402 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $68,810 – $102K | 1.2% |
|
Recording Engineer
RAPIDS 926 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $66,430 – $100K | -1.7% |
|
Sound Mixer
RAPIDS 527 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $66,430 – $100K | -1.7% |
|
Stage Technician
RAPIDS 521 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $54,830 – $74K | 3.3% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Audio & Video Technology Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Audio & Video Technology is offered at 26 schools across 15 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Audio & Video Technology Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Audio & Video Technology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 26 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Audio & Video Technology Programs
Schools where Audio & Video Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake Community College | $31,172/yr | 43 |
| Suffolk County Community College | $30,575/yr | 39 |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College | $29,299/yr | 39 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $28,287/yr | 48 |
| York Technical College | $28,113/yr | 45 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | $27,936/yr | 37 |
| Full Sail University | $27,597/yr | 31 |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | $25,668/yr | 36 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $25,668/yr | 32 |
| Full Sail University | $24,862/yr | 30 |
Best ROI for Audio & Video Technology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Audio & Video Technology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford Technical Community College | 70.6x | $28,287/yr | 48 |
| York Technical College | 50.0x | $28,113/yr | 45 |
| Salt Lake Community College | 35.6x | $31,172/yr | 43 |
| Iowa Western Community College | 30.7x | $24,428/yr | 35 |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | 30.0x | $18,929/yr | 32 |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | 29.6x | $25,668/yr | 36 |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College | 27.1x | $29,299/yr | 39 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | 24.9x | $27,936/yr | 37 |
| Suffolk County Community College | 22.9x | $30,575/yr | 39 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | 20.8x | $16,294/yr | 30 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Audio & Video Technology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.