How much does a sound engineer make?
a year · about $35 an hour
A typical sound engineer in the United States makes $73,130 a year, about $35 an hour, about 1.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Before a session or show, a sound engineer sets up microphones, tests the gear, and adjusts a mixing board. During the performance, they balance voices and music, then may edit the recording and pack away equipment.
Did you know? Surprise: sound engineers can use pitch-correction software to help a singer stay in tune during a concert—not only in a recording studio.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,570 and $137,370How do you become one?
In the US, study math, physics, and electronics in high school, then train in audio at a college or technical school. School AV work or an apprenticeship builds experience; certification is optional, though it often requires an exam.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and creating
Why does pay differ?
In the US, sound engineers with more experience, in-demand skills, or optional certificates may earn more; pay also changes with location and employer, such as a studio, broadcaster, or live-event company. A high-demand specialty, strong reputation, big projects, and hours or overtime can also affect earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($115,190), lowest in Utah ($36,400).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,570 | $73,130 | $137,370 | about 13,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $115,190 | about 290 |
| District of Columbia | $106,630 | about 90 |
| New York | $87,510 | about 2,000 |
| Nevada | $84,570 | about 170 |
| Maryland | $79,990 | about 160 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/broadcast-and-sound-engineering-technici
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-4014.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.avixa.org/explore/articles/sound-recording-engineer-salaries
- careerdiscovery.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers/earth-physical-sc
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY