Sound Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a Sound Engineering make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sound Engineering in the United States is $115,466 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, a Sound Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,286
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,916 to $131,075
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,669
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View as table View as graph 25% $100,916 10% $87,669 90% $145,286 75% $131,075 $115,466 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Sound Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $131,075 $10,923 $2,521 $63
Average $115,466 $9,622 $2,221 $56
25th Percentile $100,916 $8,410 $1,941 $49

Key Factors That Influence Sound Engineering Salaries

A Sound Engineering's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Sound Engineerings

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $145,637
  • San Francisco: $144,043
  • Oakland: $141,007

What Skills Can Increase a Sound Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Alignment (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): Ensuring one’s own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with the strategies, priorities, and goals of our business.
  • Pastoral Care (Mentioned in 18.18% Job Postings): Pastoral care is an ancient model of emotional and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures and traditions. The term is considered[by whom?] inclusive of distinctly non-religious forms of support as well as of those from religious communities. Humanist groups, which act on behalf of non-religious people, have developed pastoral care offerings in response to growing demand for the provision of like-minded support from populations undergoing rapid secularisation, such as the UK. Humanists UK for example manages the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network, a network of trained and accredited volunteers who operate throughout prisons, hospitals, and universities in the UK. The terms pastoral care and pastoral support are preferred because these sound less religious than terms such as chaplaincy. Surveys have shown that more than two thirds of patients support non-religious pastoral care being available in British institutions. Similar offerings are available from humanist groups around Europe and North America.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Alignment 9.09%
Pastoral Care 18.18%
Administrative Support 9.09%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Sound Engineering's salary.
  • Delegating: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Delegating
$150,106
30%
Alignment
$137,405
19%
Team Building
$128,167
11%
Initiative
$124,703
8%
Crisis Management
$122,394
6%
Religious Services
$121,239
5%
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Sound Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Sound Engineering roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Sound Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Sound Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Sound Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$138,559$67.020%

How Education impacts a Sound Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Sound Engineerings enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Sound Engineering with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $104,206 and $111,614).

Sound Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Sound Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 3.6%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 10.7%
Masters 73.2%
Doctorate 7.1%
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Sound Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Sound Engineering's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Sound Engineering

Salaries for a Sound Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $83,944 in 2023 to around $84,010 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Sound Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Sound Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$83,944
2024
$84,840
2025
$84,010
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $83,944
2024 $84,840
2025 $84,010
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Sound Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Sound Engineering

Here are companies hiring for Sound Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Sound Engineering Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sound Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Sound Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Sound Engineering?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Sound Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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