All About Sound Engineering Technicians
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.
- Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
- Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
- Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
- Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.
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Sound Engineering Technician Skills
These are the skills Sound Engineering Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Types of Sound Engineering Technician Jobs
- Video Editor
- Mechanical Sound Technician
- Film Recordist
- Disc Recordist
- Systems Engineer
Is There Going to be Demand for Sound Engineering Technicians?
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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
What is the Average Salary of a Sound Engineering Technician
The salary for Sound Engineering Technicians ranges between about $25,680 and $117,600 a year.
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 |
What Tools do Sound Engineering Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sound Engineering Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- 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
- UNIX
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple macOS
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- VMWare
How to Become a Sound Engineering Technician
Education needed to be a Sound Engineering Technician:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sound Engineering Technician?
Who Employs Sound Engineering Technicians?
The table below shows the approximate number of Sound Engineering Technicians employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Joalpe via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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