How much does a media technician make?
Answer: A typical media technician in the United States makes $70,720 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Media technician pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,870 | $70,720 | $135,470 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $86,370 | about 580 |
| Florida | $86,230 | about 540 |
| Texas | $76,400 | about 540 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,600 | about 580 |
| Maryland | $68,880 | about 760 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, useful skills, optional certification, the employer, and location. More complex tasks and hours worked—including extra hours for live events or night shifts at always-on stations—can matter too.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a media technician do?
All media and communication equipment workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
They connect microphones, speakers, cameras, and screens, then test the sound and picture before a meeting or concert. During the event, they adjust controls, fix equipment problems, and pack everything away.
How to get this job
In the U.S., study math, physics, and electronics in high school, then take hands-on audio/video or broadcast training; some jobs accept a high-school diploma. School AV experience helps, and certification is usually optional.
Did you know?
Some U.S. media technicians may work at night or on weekends because radio and TV stations stay on air 24/7.
Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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/27-4099.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/broadcast-and-sound-engineering-technici
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.careeronestop.org/Videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=27401100
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY