Instrument technician
Also known as: bass technician, road crew member, senior instrument technician, piano technician, guitar technician, roadie
About this occupation
Instrument technicians assist and support musicians before, during and after the performance to ensure the instruments and the connected equipment, the backline, are setup properly. They maintain, check, tune and repair instruments and assist with quick changes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- understand artistic concepts
- adapt to artists' creative demands
- draw up instrument setup
- assemble performance equipment
- work ergonomically
- set up equipment in a timely manner
- work safely with chemicals
- manage consumables stock
- repair musical instruments
- prevent undesired changes to sound design
- maintain sound equipment
- manage personal professional development
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Audio and Video Technicians (O*NET 27-4011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Artistic
Top skills: Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening
US median pay: US$58,100 a year (2025), 70,230 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.1)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (3.6)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Broadcast Technicians
- Sound Engineering Technicians
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
- Lighting Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Robotics Technicians
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Motion Picture Projectionists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.