How much does a sound engineering technician make?
The median sound engineering technician in the United States earns $66,430 per year, about $31.94 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sound engineering technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 27-4014.
Sound engineering technician salary range
Pay for sound engineering technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $134,980. The average (mean) wage of $79,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,600 | $17.60 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,680 | $22.92 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,430 | $31.94 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,950 | $48.05 | |
| 90th percentile | $134,980 | $64.90 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sound engineering technicians (SOC 27-4014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Sound engineering technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sound engineering technicians earn the most in New Jersey at $111,580 a year, and the least in Utah at $32,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $111,580 | 320 |
| Washington | $110,950 | 350 |
| District of Columbia | $101,550 | 90 |
| Arizona | $97,380 | 250 |
| New York | $87,180 | 1,690 |
| Nevada | $81,720 | 160 |
| California | $78,020 | 3,800 |
| Alabama | $77,420 | 50 |
| Maryland | $71,310 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $69,990 | 500 |
| Colorado | $66,580 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $62,400 | 70 |
| Florida | $62,310 | 800 |
| Minnesota | $62,050 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $61,650 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $60,680 | N/A |
| Texas | $59,370 | 320 |
| New Mexico | $59,190 | 60 |
| Indiana | $58,040 | 80 |
| Ohio | $57,630 | 480 |
| North Carolina | $57,550 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $57,050 | 40 |
| Illinois | $56,340 | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $55,920 | 40 |
| Montana | $54,830 | 40 |
| Kentucky | $54,070 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,970 | 300 |
| Georgia | $52,650 | 180 |
| Louisiana | $52,240 | 150 |
| Michigan | $51,790 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $50,980 | 100 |
| Iowa | $50,220 | 40 |
| Oregon | $50,220 | 90 |
| Missouri | $48,800 | 300 |
| Virginia | $47,580 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $42,370 | 130 |
| Utah | $32,880 | 320 |
State median wages for sound engineering technicians (SOC 27-4014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sound engineering technicians
The BLS projects employment of sound engineering technicians to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for sound engineering technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sound engineering technician
The typical entry-level education for sound engineering technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sound engineering technician earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $111,580) and the lowest (Utah, $32,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 13,050 people work as sound engineering technicians in the United States. At $66,430 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sound engineering technician salary FAQ
How much does a sound engineering technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a sound engineering technician is $31.94. The middle half of sound engineering technicians earn between $22.92 and $48.05 per hour.
What is the highest sound engineering technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sound engineering technicians earn more than $134,980 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sound engineering technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a sound engineering technician is $66,430. The average (mean) wage of $79,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sound engineering technician a well paid job?
At $66,430 a year, a sound engineering technician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 13,050 people work as sound engineering technicians in the United States.
Which state pays sound engineering technicians the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for sound engineering technicians at $111,580 a year. Washington ($110,950) and District of Columbia ($101,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a sound engineering technician a good career?
Employment of sound engineering technicians is projected to shrink 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sound engineering technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sound engineering technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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