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Sound Engineering Technicians
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.
Other titles employers use
Audio Engineer · Audio Operator · Mastering Engineer · Mixing Engineer · Mixing Technician (Mixing Tech) · Music Producer · Recording Engineer · Sound Editor
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
- Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
- Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, creative and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Auditory Attention
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.6 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 32%
- A certificate or some college 28%
- A four-year degree 20%
- A two-year degree 12%
- A doctorate or professional degree 8%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Operating system software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Web page creation and editing software
- File versioning software
- Spreadsheet software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,500
- Job openings each year
- 650
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,500 | 650 | — |
| New York | 1,360 | 0 | — |
| Florida | 1,120 | 100 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 910 | 80 | 9.6% |
| Maryland | 660 | 60 | 3.1% |
| Tennessee | 590 | 60 | 22.9% |
| Washington | 510 | 60 | 18.6% |
| Utah | 400 | 40 | 25.0% |
| New Jersey | 330 | 30 | 6.5% |
| Colorado | 320 | 30 | 3.2% |
| Minnesota | 300 | 30 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 290 | 30 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 280 | 30 | — |
| North Carolina | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| Louisiana | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 250 | 20 | −3.8% |
| Michigan | 220 | 20 | −4.3% |
| Oregon | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 170 | 10 | −5.6% |
| Georgia | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Indiana | 140 | 10 | — |
| Alabama | 120 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| Arizona | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Wisconsin | 80 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| New Mexico | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 60 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 60 | 10 | — |
| Massachusetts | 50 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Arkansas | 30 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 20 | 0 | −33.3% |
| Nebraska | 20 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 10 | 0 | −50.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Berklee College of Music
- Degrees each year
- 625
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $48,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 236
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Rowan University
- Degrees each year
- 215
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Belmont University
- Degrees each year
- 194
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $28,000
Middle Tennessee State University
- Degrees each year
- 165
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 152
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Rochester
- Degrees each year
- 140
- Admit rate
- 36%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Oberlin College
- Degrees each year
- 136
- Admit rate
- 33%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
Compare every college offering communications technologies/technicians