Sound Engineer Salary in 2026
Record, mix, and master audio for music, film, television, and live events.
Median Salary
$55,000
$4,583/mo
Entry Level
$35,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$82,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
Sound Engineer Overview
Record, mix, and master audio for music, film, television, and live events.
Education
Certificate/Bachelor's
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Creative
Total Jobs (US)
15K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$26.44/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,583
Sound Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Sound Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Sound Engineer Salary
$66,000
$5,500/month · $2,538/biweekly · $31.73/hr
Sound Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Sound Engineer field.
Entry-level Sound Engineers earn around $35,000, while the top 10% earn $93,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Sound Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $63,000 | +$8,000 |
| Texas | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
| Georgia | $53,000 | $-2,000 |
| Tennessee | $51,000 | $-4,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Sound Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Austin | $57,000 | +$2,000 |
| Atlanta | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
| Nashville | $53,000 | $-2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Sound Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Sound Engineer from entry level to expert.
$35,000
0-2 years
$59,000
3-7 years
$82,000
8-14 years
$105,000
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Sound Engineer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Sound Engineer Salary
How we calculate Sound Engineer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $55,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Sound Engineer in the Creative sector.
- Entry-level ($35,000) and senior-level ($82,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 15K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Creative sector wages.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Bachelor's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $55,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Sound Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Sound Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Creative
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Sound Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Mixing, Mastering, Pro Tools), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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