The short answer
An AV technician typically charges $75–$125 per hour, with a typical rate around $100 — usually with a minimum call and separate equipment rental. Basic sound support sits lower; a lead tech running a complex show sits higher. The market spread:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Newer / basic support | $40–$70 | Setup and teardown, simple sound or projection. |
| General AV tech | $50–$110 | Sound, projection, mics, on-site troubleshooting. |
| Lead / experienced tech | $110–$150 | Multi-source mixing, live switching, presentation and video support. |
| Specialist / show caller | $150+ | Complex productions, LED walls, multi-room, show calling. |
What actually moves the price
Labor vs. gear. The hourly rate is the technician’s time; the speakers, projectors, mics, and mixers are usually a separate rental line. A low labor quote can hide expensive equipment costs, so ask for the full picture — labor plus gear plus setup time.
Complexity of the show. Running a mic and a slideshow is straightforward. Live switching between cameras and sources, mixing multiple audio feeds, syncing lighting, or driving an LED wall takes a skilled operator and more setup hours. The stakes of a live corporate presentation justify paying for someone who won’t freeze when something glitches.
Setup, strike, and standby. Quotes should account for load-in, testing, the event itself, and teardown — not just the hours guests are present. A technician on standby for a long event still bills that time. For events with heavy staging and decor, this often coordinates with an event decorator.
How this guide is priced
These figures are compiled from public rate listings and general market data — see our data methodology. As the Mindhyv marketplace grows, the ranges will be based on real, anonymized booking data from the platform rather than estimates.
Before you hire
Read the AV technician hiring guide for questions that separate labor from gear and cover setup time. If music is the main draw, compare it against what a DJ costs. Put the room, the gear list, and the load-in hours in the project brief builder so bids separate labor from rental cleanly.