Sound Engineering Technicians
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
Median pay: $73,130/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -1.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 1,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
• Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
• Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
• Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
• Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
• Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
• Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
• Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
What's the median pay for Sound Engineering Technicians?
The median pay for Sound Engineering Technicians is $73,130 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Sound Engineering Technicians?
Employment for Sound Engineering Technicians is projected to change -1.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Sound Engineering Technicians?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Sound Engineering Technicians?
About 1,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.