Sound Engineering Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Sound Engineering Technicians fall under the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category in the U.S. occupational classification. Sound Engineering Technicians earn a median salary of $66,430 per year, ranking in the top 37% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.7% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do sound engineering technicians earn?

The median annual wage for sound engineering technicians is $66,430. That puts sound engineering technicians at #298 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is sound engineering technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for sound engineering technicians is -1.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 16K positions in 2024 to 16K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do sound engineering technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working sound engineering technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
2. 2.Tear down equipment after event completion.
3. 3.Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
4. 4.Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
5. 5.Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
6. 6.Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
7. 7.Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
8. 8.Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.

Top skills for sound engineering technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become sound engineering technician?

The standard path into sound engineering technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Art Directors
  $111,040 median
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
  $99,800 median
• Technical Writers
  $91,670 median
• Producers and Directors
  $83,480 median
• Fashion Designers
  $80,690 median
• Commercial and Industrial Designers
  $79,450 median

Common questions parents ask about sound engineering technicians