Sound Engineering Technician Careers: Employment & Salary Trends for Aspiring Sound Engineering Technicians

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Sound Engineering Technicians at a Glance

Sound engineering technicians operate special machines and equipment to mix, record, synchronize, and reproduce music. The also use this equipment to mix and synchronize sound effects and voices. Sound engineering technicians use special techniques to deliver audio effects in movie and video productions, recording studios, sporting arenas, and theater productions.

Sound engineering technicians work in publishing industries, accommodation, motion picture and sound recording industries, broadcasting, educational services, and computer and electronic product manufacturing. They also work in accommodation, federal, state, and local government positions and professional, scientific, and technical services. Most sound engineering technicians work full-time and around 30% work part-time. 7% are self-employed.

Employment Trends

Job Outlook: Average increase
Annual Openings: 1,000
Percent Growth: 8%
Total Jobs Held: 19,500
Projected Employment: 20,700 by 2018
The Best 500 Jobs Overall Ranking: Data unavailable
--Source: “Best Jobs for the 21st Century,” JIST Publishing 2009. Farr, Michael and Shatkin, Laurence, Ph.D.; “Salary Facts Handbook,” JIST Publishing 2008. Editors @ JIST.

View employment and salary data by City/State for Sound Engineering Technicians

Aspiring sound engineering technicians can expect average growth in this field
thanks to the development of new schools and a demand for these professionals in the broadcasting and motion picture industries. Technicians can also look forward to plenty of opportunities in mobile broadcasting, an area that has grown (and continues to grow) at a rapid pace.

Salary Trends

Sound engineering technicians earn an average salary of $50,260 per year. This Sound engineering technicians in the 90th percentile can expect to earn around $90,770 per year, while 75th percentile sound engineering technicians can expect to earn $65,590 per year. Entry-level sound engineering technicians can expect to earn a starting salary of around $21,050 per year.

Sound engineering technicians in publishing, accommodation, and motion picture and sound recording industries earn the highest salaries in the field. Sound engineering technicians in publishing industries earn an average salary of $65,030 per year, and sound engineering technicians in accommodation industries earn an average of $47,680 per year. Sound engineering technicians in motion picture and sound recording industries earn an average salary of $47,420 per year.

Degrees and Training Programs

While a degree is not required for entry into this field, many employers prefer an associate degree or higher in sound engineering. A degree in recording arts technology, communications technology or other related field is acceptable as well. Currently, 26% of all sound engineering technicians hold a bachelor’s degree, 15% have an associate degree, and 27% have some college but no degree.

Most colleges and universities offer degrees in the areas listed above. The majority of art and new media schools offer degrees in these areas as well. Community colleges, vocational schools, and technical colleges offer a 2-year degree or a program that leads to a certificate in recording arts technology,  communications technology or audio engineering.

Coursework Required

Depending on the program, the course curriculum may include instruction in basic management, business economics, radio, television, and digital media production, and principles of interpersonal and mediated communications. The curriculum may also include instruction in sound effects recording, sound track editing, dubbing and mixing, sound engineering, and sound equipment operation and maintenance, as well as music, dialogue, and tape, disk, and CD production, digital recording and transmission, and amplification and modulation. Many courses also offer instruction that focuses on working with artists, editors, producers, directors, and production managers.

Michelle Burton is a published author and contributing editor for Trouve Media, Internet Brands, and Publications International, Ltd.