Set up, or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.
U.S. Workers
70,080
Median Salary
$54,830
10-Year Growth
+3.3%
Annual Openings
7,300
Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
29 of 29 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated monitoring and predictive-maintenance systems can detect indicators of major faults and notify supervisors autonomously.
Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
AI: Fully automatable - Software and automated workflows already compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio/video data end-to-end without human intervention.
Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can continuously monitor video and audio feeds, detect quality issues and anomalies, and notify directors or trigger alerts in real time with high reliability.
Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated lighting and sound control systems driven by software and AI can execute routine cues before/after performances and during intermissions autonomously.
Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated vision mixers and AI-driven auto-director systems are capable of switching video sources across cameras, feeds, and media for many live and recorded productions.
Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
AI: Fully automatable - Reservation and scheduling of AV equipment and rooms is a routine administrative task that AI can fully automate, including conflicts and resource optimization.
Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
AI: Fully automatable - AI tools can automatically perform tape/digital edits, remove portions, and add video or audio with high accuracy for both rough and finished edits in many workflows.
Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can produce both rough drafts and polished graphic designs quickly and to professional standards for a wide range of purposes, often requiring minimal human refinement.
Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can ingest program materials, identify piece order, estimate durations from databases or audio models, and produce cue/timing sheets without human-only steps.
Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
AI: Fully automatable - Inventory tracking, barcode/RFID integration, automated reordering and record upkeep are fully automatable with current AI and software systems.
Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can create and deliver comprehensive training materials and interactive instruction for AV selection and operation, effectively replacing human trainers for most learning needs.
Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
AI: Fully automatable - Neural text‑to‑speech and voice‑synthesis systems in 2025 can produce natural, directed narration and announcements suitable for many productions.
Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
AI: Fully automatable - AI tools can autonomously generate outlines, scripts, storyboards and graphics from briefs or creative prompts, producing ready-to-edit pre‑production materials.
Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
AI: Fully automatable - Document management systems augmented with AI can extract, organize, track compliance/license/warranty details and surface renewal or compliance alerts automatically.
Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
AI: Fully automatable - Conversational AI and FAQ automation can reliably inform users about service policies and procedures and handle common follow-up questions.
Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can parse, analyze and maintain audiovisual logs, detect anomalies, generate summaries and produce analytics without manual intervention.
Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can create manuals, training texts and workbooks tailored to production materials, producing structured educational content ready for review and deployment.
Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose many media system problems from logs and telemetry and apply software fixes remotely, but cannot perform most physical hardware repairs on-site.
Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
AI: Partial - AI can coordinate schedules, cues, and task assignments and provide real-time recommendations, but cannot fully replace human leadership and interpersonal management during production.
Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
AI: Partial - AI and automation can assist with operation and remote adjustments, but physical installation and many on-site adjustments still require skilled human technicians.
Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
AI: Partial - Automated mixing and synchronization tools can handle routine level balancing and feed coordination, but complex live mixing with nuanced artistic decisions still requires human operators.
Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can fully automate editing and manage recording workflows in controlled settings, but on-site recording setup, microphone placement, and complex quality decisions often need human oversight.
Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can provide diagnostics, instructions, and checklists for minor repairs and cleaning, but cannot physically perform most hands-on maintenance tasks as of 2025.
Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can design set and lighting layouts and generate construction plans, but it cannot generally perform the physical construction and precise on‑site positioning of props and equipment.
Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
AI: Partial - AI can generate optimal equipment layouts and recommend upgrades remotely, but cannot perform most physical installation and hands‑on maintenance tasks on site.
Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
AI: Partial - AI can research, model options, and recommend formats and budgets, but final strategic decisions involving stakeholder negotiation and nuanced objectives typically need human judgment.
Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
AI: Partial - AI can schedule, prepare digital assets, and remotely control some equipment, but physically obtaining, loading, and handling physical videotapes for on‑site productions remains a human task.
Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
AI: Partial - AI can research, locate, recommend and coordinate bookings or paperwork for locations/props and propose effects, but cannot physically secure or perform in-person negotiations without human action.
Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
AI: Partial - AI can generate shot lists, visualizations and meeting aids and simulate camera movements, but cannot fully replace real-time, on-set collaborative decision‑making and directorial negotiation.