Trades
Sound Engineering Technicians

Sound Engineer

Sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain sound reinforcement systems, such as public address systems, sound systems for theaters, and sound systems for sports arenas
Sound Engineer
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Why Should You Consider This Career?

Work in recording studios with professional musicians. Work with the coolest, expensive music technology.

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Audio Engineer, Audio Operator, Mastering Engineer, Mixer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, Sound Editor, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, Studio Engineer

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.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
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AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Audio Engineer, Audio Operator, Mastering Engineer, Mixer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, Sound Editor, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, Studio Engineer
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • 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.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
57.6
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Operate audio recording equipment.
  • Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.
  • Mix sound inputs.
  • Operate control consoles for sound, lighting or video.
  • Select materials or props.
  • Maintain logs of production activities.
  • Notify others of equipment problems.
  • Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 86/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 86/100

  • Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. 77/100

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 76/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 72/100

  • Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. 71/100

  • Fine Arts

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. 69/100

  • Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 55/100

  • Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 54/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 53/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Microphones
  • Audio mixing consoles
  • Equalizers
  • Radio frequency transmitters or receivers
  • Multimeters
  • Ohmmeters
  • Loudspeakers
  • Digital voice recorders
  • Soldering iron
  • Musical instrument digital interface MIDI interfaces
  • Attenuators
  • Intercom systems
  • Notebook computers
  • Voltage or current meters
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Cassette players or recorders
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