Sound Engineer Salary in 2026
Record, mix, and master audio for music, film, television, and live events.
Median Salary
$73,130
$6,094/mo
Entry Level
$46,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$109,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Sound Engineering Technicians (SOC 27-4014) at a national median of $73,130 per year (mean $81,390), or $35.16 per hour, with 13,080 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
13K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$35.16/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,094
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
$88,000
$7,333/month · $3,385/biweekly · $42.31/hr
Sound Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Sound Engineer field.
Entry-level Sound Engineers earn around $46,500, while the top 10% earn $124,300 or more.
Top Paying States for Sound Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $86,000 | +$12,870 |
| New York | $84,000 | +$10,870 |
| Texas | $72,000 | $-1,130 |
| Georgia | $71,000 | $-2,130 |
| Tennessee | $68,000 | $-5,130 |
Top Paying Cities for Sound Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $86,000 | +$12,870 |
| Los Angeles | $82,000 | +$8,870 |
| Austin | $75,000 | +$1,870 |
| Atlanta | $72,000 | $-1,130 |
| Nashville | $71,000 | $-2,130 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Sound Engineer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Sound Engineer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Sound Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Sound Engineer from entry level to expert.
$46,500
0-2 years
$78,000
3-7 years
$109,000
8-14 years
$139,600
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Sound Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Sound Engineer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Sound Engineer in the United States is $73,130 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Sound Engineering Technicians (SOC 27-4014); the mean is $81,390. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $46,500, senior professionals around $109,000, and top earners at $139,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Sound Engineer?
A Sound Engineer typically requires a Certificate/Bachelor's with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Mixing, Mastering, Pro Tools. Relevant certifications such as None typically required can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Sound Engineers?
The job market for Sound Engineers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 13K Sound Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Sound Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Sound Engineers include California, New York, Tennessee. In California, the median salary is approximately $86,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Sound Engineer salary?
To increase your Sound Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Mixing and Mastering. Pursue certifications such as None typically required. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $46,500 to $109,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Sound Engineer Salary
How we calculate Sound Engineer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Sound Engineering Technicians (SOC 27-4014), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $73,130, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Sound Engineering Technicians; BLS mean $81,390; BLS hourly median $35.16.
- Entry-level ($46,500) and senior-level ($109,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 13,080 Sound Engineering Technicians jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Creative sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Bachelor's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $73,130; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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