Sound Engineering Technicians

Also Called: Audio Engineer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Sound Engineer

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$36,160

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Sound Engineering Technicians do

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.

  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
  • Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
  • Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
Industry Areas:

Construction • Information Technology

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Telephone

Tools

  • Microphones
  • Audio mixing consoles
  • Equalizers
  • Radio frequency transmitters or receivers
  • Multimeters

Technology

Operating system software
Apple macOS
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Music or sound editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
Avid Audio Pro Tools

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
product and service development
Communications
multimedia
telecommunications
Business
customer service
management
Arts and Humanities
English language

Education

  • 22% Associate's degree
  • 22% Bachelor's degree
  • 19% Less than high school diploma

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Actors

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

Sound Engineering Technicians Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Film & Video Editors

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • AIB College of Business

    Des Moines, IA

  • Aims Community College

    Greeley, CO

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Achievement/Effort

Values

  • Independence
  • Relationships
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention
  • Hearing and Speech

This is what Sound Engineering Technicians across the country typically make.

$17.38 / hour
$36,160 /year

Entry Level

$28.57 / hour
$59,430 /year

Median Level

$63.91 / hour
$132,940 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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