How much does an AV equipment installer make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical AV equipment installer in the United States makes $52,600 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They travel to a home, school, or venue, mount speakers or screens, run cables, and test the system. If sound or picture fails, they use test tools to find the fault, repair it, and explain the fix.
Did you know? AV installers may use a soldering iron to fix faulty parts—and then teach customers how to use the equipment safely.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,760 and $84,190How do you become one?
Most start after high school or a GED (often around 18), then learn on the job, at technical school, or as an apprentice. Training takes about one or two years; some states require a low-voltage license for sound wiring, while AVIXA’s CTS is optional.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., more experience, useful certifications, and harder or more specialized AV work can lead to better pay. Pay also differs by employer and industry, location, and hours worked, including evening or weekend shifts.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Illinois ($62,870), lowest in North Carolina ($44,490).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,760 | $52,600 | $84,190 | about 20,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $62,870 | about 530 |
| California | $62,390 | about 3,000 |
| New York | $62,380 | about 870 |
| Colorado | $57,680 | about 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,010 | about 560 |
Official definition: Install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other electronic entertainment equipment in homes or other venues. May perform routine maintenance. Excludes “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-2097.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/49-2097.00
- www.avixa.org/explore/articles/av-technician
- www.avixa.org/training-certification/certification/cts-certification
- www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classifications/Licensing_Classificat
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY