The Arts, Audio/Visual (A/V) Technology, and Communications career cluster provides a dynamic blend of creativity and technical know-how, drawing professionals who are keen on storytelling, design, and media. If you’re searching for “arts a v technology and communications average salary,” you’re likely curious about the earning potential in this dynamic field. In 2025, this sector spans roles like graphic designers, broadcast technicians, and communications managers, with salaries reflecting diverse skills and demand. This blog post explores average salaries, high-paying roles, job outlook, and strategies to maximize your earnings in this industry.
Overview of Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications Careers
The Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career cluster includes careers in visual art, performing art, journalism, broadcasting, and telecommunications. These professionals design, create, and disseminate content across media such as film, television, digital media, and print. Ranging from the creation of beautiful graphics to corporate communications, these careers merge creativity with technology.
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), media and communication careers had a median pay of $66,240 a year in 2024, above the national median of $48,060. Yet, wages differ considerably depending on position, level of experience, and geographical area.
Average Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications Salaries
Wages in this group vary from entry to executive, reflecting the variation of positions. According to recent statistics, the median wage for Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications positions in the U.S. is around $63,578 per year, with a wide range of $29,000 to $118,000 depending on the job and experience. The following are principal positions and their median salaries in 2025:
1. Communications Manager
Average Salary: $124,740
Role: Directs corporate messaging, public relations, and media strategies.
Demand: High, particularly in nonprofit and corporate industries.
Skills Needed: Strategic communication, leadership, digital marketing.
2. Producers and Directors
Average Salary: $80,893
Role: Direct film, TV, or theater productions, leading creative and technical staff.
Demand: Increasing, with 7% job outlook growth from 2020–2030.
Skills Needed: Project management, storytelling, budgeting.
3. Agents and Business Managers of Artists
Average Salary: $82,530
Role: Represent artists, performers, or athletes, negotiating contract and booking arrangements.
Demand: Stable, with potential in entertainment centers.
Skills Required: Negotiation, networking, market awareness.
4. Graphic Designer
Average Salary: $58,000
Job: Develop visual materials for brands, websites, and advertising campaigns.
Demand: Moderate, with expansion in digital media.
Skills Required: Adobe Creative Suite, branding, UI/UX design.
5. Audio and Video Technician
Average Salary: $50,881–$59,469
Job: Install and operate A/V equipment for events, broadcasts, or productions.
Demand: Very rapid growth, propelled by live events and streaming.
Skills Required: Technical problem-solving, sound engineering, equipment configuration.
6. Broadcast Technician
Average Salary: $48,880
Role: Oversee broadcast equipment for radio, TV, or streaming sites.
Demand: Strong, particularly with digital broadcasting trends.
Skills Required: Signal management, FCC compliance, technical maintenance.
7. Sound Engineering Technician
Average Salary: $39,562
Role: Record and mix audio for music, film, or events.
Demand: Increasing in music and podcasting sectors.
Skills Required: Audio software, mixing, acoustics.
Factors Affecting Salaries
A number of factors affect earnings in this sector:
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Location: Major cities such as New York or Los Angeles have better pay but higher costs of living. For instance, a Maryland A/V technician makes approximately $28.94/hour ($60,195/year), higher than the national average.
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Experience: Top jobs such as communications managers receive six-figure salaries, while beginner jobs such as sound technicians begin lower.
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Education: A bachelor’s degree is common for many positions, although associate degrees or certifications are enough for technical jobs.
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Industry: Corporate communications is more lucrative than nonprofit or freelance arts positions.
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Specialization: Specialized skills, such as 3D animation or VR production, increase earning power.
Job Outlook 2025 and Beyond
The BLS forecasts an 8% job growth for Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications occupations from 2019–2029, greater than the national rate. Major trends that are fueling demand are:
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Digital Media Expansion: Online streaming sites and social media drive demand for producers, editors, and A/V technicians.
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Live Events Revival: Post-pandemic, concerts and conferences drive A/V technician opportunities.
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Corporate Communications: Companies spend on branding, driving demand for communications managers and graphic designers.
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Technological Advancements: AI and AR/VR give birth to new jobs in immersive media production.
How to Increase Your Salary in This Industry
To optimize your salary potential, follow these tips:
1. Upskill in In-Demand Areas
Acquire popular skills such as motion graphics, podcast creation, or online marketing. Courses such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Adobe’s certification courses can be beneficial. For instance, becoming proficient in Adobe After Effects can increase a graphic designer’s compensation by 10–20%.
2. Create a Portfolio
Highlight your projects on websites such as Behance or GitHub for technical professions. A good portfolio can support greater compensation, particularly for freelancers or creative positions.
3. Network Locally and Online
Join professional associations on LinkedIn or attend conferences such as NAB Show for broadcasters. Networking may result in lucrative contracts or job recommendations. X discussions frequently feature job opportunities in communications and media.
4. Seek Certifications
Certifications such as Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) for audio/video technicians or Google Analytics for communications specialists increase credibility and salary potential.
5. Consider Freelancing
Freelance roles, such as event A/V technicians or graphic designers, offer flexibility and potentially higher hourly rates. ZipRecruiter notes that top freelancers in this field can earn up to $79,500 annually.
Challenges in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications Field
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Competition: Creative roles like graphic design face high competition, requiring unique skills to stand out.
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Job Stability: Freelance and contract work, common in this field, can lack benefits like health insurance.
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Skill Development: Fast-paced tech developments require constant learning, particularly for A/V and broadcast positions.
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Salary Range: Entry-level positions, such as sound technicians, begin as low as $29,000, with upper-level positions reaching over $100,000.
Success Stories
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Maya, Los Angeles, CA: Following a CTS certification, Maya went from a starter A/V technician position ($40,000/year) to the position of lead technician ($65,000/year) at a prominent event center.
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Liam, Chicago, IL: Liam’s Behance graphic design portfolio earned him a $70,000 marketing agency job utilizing his AR design skills.
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Sofia, New York, NY: Sofia’s master’s degree and networking earned her a communications manager spot at a tech firm at $130,000 per year.
Regional Salary Insights
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Maryland: A/V technicians receive $60,195/year, higher than the national average.
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California: Producers and directors mean $90,000 due to the presence of the entertainment industry.
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Idaho: Broadcast technicians make approximately $49,200, due to reduced cost of living.
Breaking into the Industry Tips
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Begin Small: Do internships or freelance work to gain experience.
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Utilize Job Boards: Employ Indeed, LinkedIn, or specialist sites such as ProductionHUB for media positions.
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Stay Up-to-Date: Monitor industry trends on X to identify upcoming roles such as VR content creators.
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Negotiate Pay: Look up pay brackets on Glassdoor or Salary.com to negotiate reasonable pay.
Conclusion
The Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career path provides varied, fulfilling occupations with average annual incomes between $39,562 for sound technicians and $124,740 for communications managers. With an 8% job expansion through 2029 and growth driven by digital media and live events, 2025 is a thrilling year to join or move up in this career path. By upskilling, networking, and having a solid portfolio, you’re able to increase your pay and succeed in this creative, tech-savvy industry. Begin searching for job boards or local jobs today to start building your career!