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What You Need to Know About Sound Engineering Technician

Sound Engineering Technician Job Description Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.

List of Sound Engineering Technician Job Duties

Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.

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What a Sound Engineering Technician Should Know

When polled, Sound Engineering Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Production Engineer
Sound Designer
Sound Technician
Film Sound Engineer
Acoustical Engineer

Sound Engineering Technician Employment Estimates

There were about 17,000 jobs for Sound Engineering Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,100 new jobs for Sound Engineering Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Sound Engineering Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Sound Engineering Technician are Washington, Georgia, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, Nebraska, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Sound Engineering Technician Average Salary

The average yearly salary of a Sound Engineering Technician ranges between $25,680 and $117,600.

Sound Engineering Technicians who work in Connecticut, Louisiana, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

How much do Sound Engineering Technicians make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$39,140
Colorado	$52,990
Connecticut	$87,420
District of Columbia	$79,410
Florida	$56,010
Georgia	$62,640
Hawaii	$42,230
Illinois	$60,500
Iowa	$54,020
Kentucky	$53,490
Louisiana	$88,610
Maryland	$51,670
Massachusetts	$57,110
Michigan	$65,540
Minnesota	$42,840
Missouri	$48,080
Nevada	$57,010
New Jersey	$55,570
New York	$82,030
North Carolina	$51,060
Ohio	$48,060
Oregon	$43,180
Pennsylvania	$45,540
South Carolina	$49,210
Tennessee	$56,940
Texas	$59,810
Utah	$30,240
Virginia	$53,780
Washington	$77,020
Wisconsin	$58,930

Tools & Technologies Used by Sound Engineering Technicians

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sound Engineering Technicians:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Office
Microsoft PowerPoint
Git
Data entry software
Microsoft Windows
Autodesk AutoCAD
Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Visio
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Linux
Facebook
UNIX
Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Computer aided design CAD software
Apple Final Cut Pro
Apple macOS
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
VMWare

How do I Become a Sound Engineering Technician?

Learn what Sound Engineering Technician education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Sound Engineering Technician?

Who Employs Sound Engineering Technicians?

Below are examples of industries where Sound Engineering Technicians work:

References:

Image Credit: Joalpe via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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