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Sound Engineering Technician

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Life As a Sound Engineering Technician

Sound Engineering Technician Example 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.

What Do Sound Engineering Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
  • Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
  • Tear down equipment after event completion.
  • Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication 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.

Sound Engineering Technician Required Skills

Sound Engineering Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

  • Video Editor
  • Sound Effects Person
  • Audio Production Manager
  • Mechanic Sound Technician
  • Special Effects Technician

Is There Going to be Demand for Sound Engineering Technicians?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,000 jobs in the United States for Sound Engineering Technician. 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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Salary for a Sound Engineering Technician

The salary for Sound Engineering Technicians ranges between about $25,680 and $117,600 a year.

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

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sound Engineering Technicians 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
  • Microsoft operating system

Becoming a Sound Engineering Technician

What education or degrees do I need to become a Sound Engineering Technician?

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

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Where Sound Engineering Technicians Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Sound Engineering Technicians employed by various industries.

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References:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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