How much does a sound engineer make?
Answer: A typical sound engineer in the United States makes $73,130 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 13,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Sound engineer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 York | $87,510 | about 2,000 |
| California | $78,150 | about 4,000 |
| Illinois | $73,130 | about 570 |
| Florida | $70,360 | about 590 |
| Texas | $54,370 | about 830 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a sound engineer 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. Excludes “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011).
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and creating.
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.
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Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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