Audio and Video Recording Technicians

(NOC 5225)

in All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Audio and video recording technicians use equipment to record, mix and edit sound, music, and videotape, for motion pictures, television and radio programs, videos, recordings, and live events. They work for multimedia companies, film, video and concert production companies, sound recording firms, theatre and dance companies, educational institutions, clubs, hotels, bands, radio stations, television networks and video production and editing companies.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Estimate 840 employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 1495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Audio and Video Recording Technicians most commonly work full-time hours.

The median employment income for 33% of Audio and Video Recording Technicians who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $37,216. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$16.25

Minimum

$24.54

Median

$34.76

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,813

Minimum

$29,405

Median

$63,252

Maximum

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$12.55

Minimum

$24.73

Median

$36.29

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Audio and video recording technicians:

Set up, prepare, run and adjust audio, recording, editing and reproducing equipment to record, edit and reproduce sound input or feed of pre-recorded material from tapes, records, compact discs, digital audio devices, and input from live microphones, satellites or microwave trucks for films, videos, radio and television programs and recordings.
Prepare and use videotape recording and playback equipment to record videos, television programs, concerts, and live events, and to edit video tape after production.
Use electronic equipment to generate program titles, credits, sub-titles, graphic backgrounds, or animation for television programs.
Use audio consoles or computers, tape machines, microphones, and sound processing equipment to mix, combine and edit music and sound at concerts and live events.
Use dubbing machines to play back edited dialogue, music, and sound effect tracks from different sources, in synchronization with motion picture film.
May supervise and coordinate the work of other audio and video recording technicians.

Sample job titles

audio recording studio operator
audio technician
audiovisual (AV) technician
film technician
music or sound mixer
recording engineer
sound editor
sound engineer
sound technician
video-recording equipment operator

Skills

You need creativity, imagination, and technical skills. Attention to detail and the ability to improvise with equipment and techniques are also important. You must be able to communicate your ideas clearly and work well with others.

Job requirements

A college or other program in recording engineering, audiovisual technology or a related field or experience as a recording studio assistant is usually required.

Other considerations

Senior jobs in this group, like recording and sound engineers, require experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

200

employed in 2016

71.8%

employed full-time

41.0%

self employed

17.9%

82.1%

38.4

median age

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

53.3%

employed full-time

29.3%

self employed

55.6%

44.4%

38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

76.9%

Halifax

$30,612 median annual income

7.7%

Cape Breton

N/A

5.1%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

5.1%

Southern

N/A

5.1%

North Shore

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

52.8%

Information and cultural industries

13.9%

Professional, scientific and technical services

5.6%

Educational services

5.6%

Transportation and warehousing

5.6%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

What is the age of Employment?

23.0%

55-64

20.0%

25-34

20.0%

35-44

18.0%

45-54

15.0%

15-24

5.0%

65+

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

29.7%

15-24

15.9%

35-44

15.7%

45-54

15.4%

25-34

14.9%

55-64

Top levels of education

37.5%

College Diploma

$23,052 median annual income

22.5%

High school

$37,888 median annual income

15.0%

Bachelor

$30,847 median annual income

12.5%

Trade Certification

N/A

10.0%

Less than high school

N/A

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

26.4%

Bachelor

$17,829 median annual income

24.9%

High school

$7,552 median annual income

19.5%

College Diploma

$22,120 median annual income

13.7%

Less than high school

$2,922 median annual income

7.9%

Master

$36,173 median annual income

Education & training

Communications Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare individuals to function as workers and managers within communications industries. They include courses in business economics, basic management, principles of interpersonal and mediated communications, radio, television, and digital media production, and related aspects of technology and communications systems.

Institutions providing this program

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

admissions@msvu.ca

Website

Organizational Communication

College or University Program

These programs focus on general communication processes and dynamics within organizations. They include courses in developing and maintaining interpersonal group relations within organizations, decision-making and conflict management, using symbols to create and maintain organizational images, missions, and values, power and politics within organizations, human interaction with computer technology, and how communications socialize and support employees and team members.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website

Radio and Television

College or University Program

These programs focus on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages and prepares students to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. They include courses in media aesthetics, planning, scheduling, and production, writing and editing, performing and directing, personnel and facilities management, marketing and distribution, media regulations, law, and policy, and principles of broadcast technology.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website

Recording Arts Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs apply technical knowledge and skills to producing sound recordings as finished products or as parts of film/video, broadcast, live, or mixed media productions. They include courses in sound equipment operation and maintenance, music, dialogue, and sound effects recording, sound track editing, dubbing and mixing, sound engineering, tape, disk, and CD production, digital recording and transmission, amplification and modulation, and working with producers, editors, directors, artists, and production managers.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website