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Sound Engineering Technician

Overview and Key Facts

person on tech board
Education
Education
Post high school credential
Median Pay
Median Pay
$66,430
Job Growth
Job Growth
-1.70%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
16,600

What Do They Do?

A sound engineering technician could...

 
cute monster
Add sound effects to make a movie monster roar.
play
Equip Broadway show actors with microphones so that the audience can hear them.
concert
Set up the sound equipment for a live concert.
music
Mix different sound tracks together to create new music for a club.
 
cute monster play concert music

Overview Listen to this section

Any time you hear music at a concert, a live speech, the police sirens in a TV show, or the six o'clock news you're hearing the work of a sound engineering technician. Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions.
Watch this video from NOVA scienceNOW and learn how a sound engineering technician, armed with pitch-correction software, can make sure your favorite singer always hits the right notes during his or her concerts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnzdk1fZsQ0

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Sound Engineering Technician?


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Speaking: ?
  3. Reading Comprehension: ?
  4. Writing: ?
  5. Complex Problem Solving: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Sound Engineering Technician might do:
  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording 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.
  • Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
  • Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
  • Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
  • Keep logs of recordings.
  • Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
  • 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.
  • Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
  • Tear down equipment after event completion.
  • Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Sound Engineering Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Sound Engineering Technician jobs (-1.70%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Sound Engineering Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Sound engineering technicians usually receive some kind of formal training prior to beginning work.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Post high school credential ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Prospective technicians should take high school courses in math, physics, and electronics.

After high school, the best way to train for a career as a sound engineering technician is to enroll in a technical school community college, or a university program in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology. New employees usually learn on the job from more experienced technicians and supervisors. Some begin their careers working in smaller, local stations and, after gaining valuable experience, move on to larger stations and networks.

Experienced technicians can become supervisory technicians or chief engineers. A college degree in engineering is needed to become chief engineer at a large television station.

Continuing education to become familiar with emerging technologies is recommended for all sound engineering technicians.

Companies That Hire Sound Engineering Technicians

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

While Julie Rix taught herself how to be a sound engineer, she also shares tips about educational paths to the career.
I think for me the highlights are just the extensive work I have done with many of the greatest and most creative musicians in the world. 
Julie Rix

Nature of the Work

Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions.

The transition to digital recording, editing, and broadcasting is still in progress, and affects sound engineering technicians and radio operators. Software on desktop computers has replaced specialized electronic equipment in many recording and editing functions. This transition has made it necessary for technicians to learn computer networking and software skills.

Sound engineering technicians perform a variety of duties in small radio and television stations. In large stations and at the networks, technicians are more specialized, although job assignments may change from day to day. The terms "operator," "engineer," and "technician" often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs.

Sound engineering technicians also work in program production. They operate and maintain sound recording equipment, and may also operate equipment designed to produce special effects, such as the noise of a police siren. Some sound engineering technicians produce soundtracks for movies or television programs. After filming or recording is complete, these workers may use a process called "dubbing" to insert sounds. Those that work in the field, rather than in a studio, set up and operate portable transmission equipment. Because television news coverage requires so much electronic equipment and the technology is changing so rapidly, many stations assign technicians exclusively to news.

In the motion picture industry, people are hired as apprentice editorial assistants and work their way up to more skilled jobs. Employers in the motion picture industry usually hire experienced freelance technicians on a picture-by-picture basis. Reputation and determination are important in getting jobs.

Work Environment

Sound engineering technicians generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However, those who broadcast news and other programs from locations outside the studio may work outdoors in all types of weather, or in other dangerous conditions. Technicians who are setting up equipment may do heavy lifting.

Technicians at large stations and the networks usually work a 40-hour week under great pressure to meet broadcast deadlines, and may occasionally work overtime. Technicians at small stations routinely work more than 40 hours a week. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is usual because most stations are on the air 18-24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even though a technician may not be on duty when the station is broadcasting, some technicians may be on call during non-work hours; these workers must handle any problems that occur when they are on call.

Technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule and may work long hours to meet contractual deadlines.

More Information

Ask Questions

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