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.
Sound Engineering Technicians
SOC: 27-4014 O*NET: 27-4014.00
Median Salary
$66,430
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Sound Engineering Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,680
25th percentile
Median
$66,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$99,950
75th percentile
Top Earners
$134,980
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,600
25th
$47,680
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$66,430
Mean: $79,280
75th
$99,950
90th
$134,980
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $98,380 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,680 and $99,950
- •Salary spread is 78.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 13,050 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:16,900
Top Industries
Information51.7%
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries40.5%
Motion Picture and Video Industries23%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.7%
Annual Openings:1,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)16,900
Current
2034 (Projected)16,600
-1.7%
-300
Employment Change
-1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sound Engineering Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
California
3,800 jobs$78,0202.48x
New York
1,690 jobs$87,1802.09x
Florida
800 jobs$62,3100.96x
Illinois
700 jobs$56,3401.36x
Tennessee
500 jobs$69,9901.80x
Ohio
480 jobs$57,6301.02x
Washington
350 jobs$110,9501.16x
New Jersey
320 jobs$111,5800.89x
Texas
320 jobs$59,3700.28x
Utah
320 jobs$32,8802.19x
Pennsylvania
300 jobs$53,9700.60x
Missouri
300 jobs$48,8001.23x
Arizona
250 jobs$97,3800.93x
Michigan
250 jobs$51,7900.66x
Maryland
220 jobs$71,3100.96x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
80%
#5
Operations Monitoring
74%
#6
Operation and Control
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.0
80%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers82%
5 shared skills
Locomotive Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists82%
5 shared skills
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Operation and Control
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sound Engineering Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechGit
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechUNIX
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Git
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Photoshop
Oracle Java
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Linux
Microsoft Windows
UNIX
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (10)General Responsibilities (4)
1
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Keep logs of recordings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sound Engineering Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sound Engineering Technicians professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sound Engineering Technicians
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.96
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.88
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.68
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.52
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.44
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
5.0
Attention to Detail
4.9
Cooperation
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Initiative
4.5
Persistence
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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