by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you want to be involved in the world of broadcast or film production without being in the spotlight, a degree in Audiovisual Communications might be right for you.
This degree will teach you everything you need to know about television and film production so you can play an integral role behind the scenes. You will take classes on lighting, sound recording, camera operation, studio operations, video editing and mixing, and television and film production in order to master the necessary skills. These classes will provide you with the ability to capture scenes and stun an audience.
You may choose to specialize in an area of interest. Concentrations available at some colleges are Photographic and Film Technology or Video Technology, Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology, or a Recording Arts Technology Technician.
A major in Audiovisual Communications covers Audiovisual Communications Technologies/technicians. Read on to learn the essential details every audiovisual communications major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering audiovisual communications programs.
In the U.S., audiovisual communications draws strong interest, with 7,169 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Audiovisual Communications Schools ranking analyzes these 302 schools to determine the best overall colleges for audiovisual communications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of audiovisual communications programs later in this article.
Programs in Audiovisual Communications build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations audiovisual communications graduates commonly enter.
A career in Audiovisual Communications is great for someone who enjoys setting a scene and capturing the perfect shot. Those who are successful in this career have a strong background in video technology and strong technical skills in order to work with sophisticated cameras and editing software. Professionals are also creative and detail oriented to ensure recorded scenes are unique and interesting.
Hours within the Audiovisual Communications field may be irregular depending on the type of job you pursue. Those involved with broadcast often work fulltime with occasional extended hours depending on project deadlines. Those who pursue a career within the motion pictures industry will work long hours while filming a movie, but may be unemployed between jobs. Some graduates may choose to pursue jobs with television stations or studios that will have more consistent hours.
An internship or summer job within the Audiovisual Communications field would be extremely beneficial to students. These will provide students with hands-on experience working with production equipment and software and will give them the opportunity to build connections within their desired field. The experience will also make graduates standout when looking for a job after graduation.
Skills developed in a audiovisual communications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a audiovisual communications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several audiovisual communications degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,883 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,919 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,273 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,075 |
People currently working in careers related to audiovisual communications tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 21.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Master’s degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in audiovisual communications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Audiovisual Communications is the basis for many career paths. Some graduates decide to work in news broadcast while others pursue careers in the motion picture industry or with television networks. This major provides the knowledge and skills to work in any type of audiovisual job.
A degree in audiovisual communications opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to audiovisual communications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to audiovisual communications.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | 386,017 | -3.0% |
| Audio and Video Technicians | 360,660 | 6.8% |
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
| Broadcast Technicians | 117,697 | 3.5% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | 107,517 | 10.9% |
| Lighting Technicians | 99,715 | 13.2% |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | 51,457 | 8.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of audiovisual communications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $20,139 |
| 4 years | $28,273 |
| 5 years | $32,523 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for audiovisual communications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers audiovisual communications grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $92,043 |
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | $87,328 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,955 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,153 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,086 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
| Lighting Technicians | $45,092 |
With 302 different audiovisual communications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased audiovisual communications school rankings to help you.
Students interested in audiovisual communications, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | 8,298 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 1,043 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | 166 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
