Media Equipment Workers
Media Equipment Workers operate, maintain, and repair technical equipment used in television, radio, film, photography, and live entertainment productions. These professionals work behind the scenes to ensure high-quality audio and visual content by setting up cameras, lighting systems, sound equipment, and broadcast technology. They typically work in studios, theaters, outdoor venues, or on location for various media productions.
π¬Career Video
π€AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 1/6: high AI task exposure, declining job demand creates significant risk from AI disruption
How we calculated this:
52% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
-3% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 17/25
πKey Responsibilities
- β’Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- β’Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- β’Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- β’Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- β’Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- β’Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
- β’Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
- β’Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
π‘Inside This Career
Media equipment workers spend their days bringing audio-visual experiences to life, whether they're setting up for a live concert, operating cameras in a television studio, or fine-tuning sound levels during a film shoot. Their morning might begin with equipment checks and calibration, ensuring microphones capture clear audio, cameras produce sharp images, and lighting creates the right atmosphere. Throughout the day, they monitor technical quality, adjust settings in real-time, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. During active recording, broadcasting, or live events, these professionals maintain intense focus, making split-second decisions that can affect thousands of viewers or audience members.
The work environment varies dramatically depending on the project and specialization. One day might find them in a climate-controlled recording studio mixing tracks for a music album, while the next could involve working outdoors at a sports stadium managing broadcast equipment in unpredictable weather. They collaborate closely with directors, producers, performers, and other technical crew members, often communicating through headsets during live productions or huddling around monitors during post-production work. The pace can shift from methodical setup and testing phases to high-energy, deadline-driven periods where everything must work flawlessly.
Technical problem-solving forms a constant thread throughout their workday. Equipment malfunctions, audio feedback, lighting failures, or connectivity issues require quick thinking and hands-on solutions. Media equipment workers also spend considerable time maintaining and organizing their tools, staying current with evolving technology, and adapting to new software or hardware that can enhance production quality and efficiency.
πCareer Progression
What does this mean?
This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.
πEducation & Training
Requirements
- β’Entry Education: Associate's degree
- β’Experience: One to two years
- β’On-the-job Training: One to two years
- !License or certification required
Time & Cost
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Find jobs and training programs for media equipment workers- Median salary: $55K/year
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π»Technology Skills
βKey Abilities
π·οΈAlso Known As
πSpecializations
This career includes 8 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.
| Specialization | Median Pay | AI Outlook | O*NET Code | Find Jobs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $71,340 | π‘ | 27-4099.00 | View details | ||
| $66,600 | π | 27-4032.00 | View details | ||
| $62,240 | π‘ | 27-4015.00 | View details | ||
| $61,800 | π‘ | 27-4031.00 | View details | ||
| $59,430 | π | 27-4014.00 | View details |
πRelated Careers
Other careers in arts-media
πData Sources
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