What Does a Sound Technician Do?
Whether the event is a campus concert, a conference keynote or a recording session, clear sound depends on someone at the mixing desk. Sound technicians set up microphones, speakers and consoles, then mix and record the audio so every voice and instrument comes through. The hours often follow the events, so evening and weekend work is common.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Audio Engineer, Audio Operator, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Mixing Technician (Mixing Tech), Music Producer, Recording Engineer, Sound Editor.
Sound Technician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a sound technician include:
- Set up microphones, stage boxes, speakers and monitors for concerts, lectures and productions.
- Mix live sound at the front-of-house console, balancing voices, instruments and playback.
- Run sound checks with performers and presenters before doors open; fix feedback and hum.
- Record sessions and events in Pro Tools or similar software, then edit and export files.
- Build monitor mixes so performers can hear themselves clearly on stage.
- Program wireless microphone frequencies and manage batteries so no mic drops out mid-show.
- Patch audio feeds to broadcast, streaming and video teams during live events.
- Troubleshoot cables, connectors and digital audio networks such as Dante when signals fail.
- Maintain and repair audio gear, keeping an inventory of cables, mics and spare parts.
- Pack, load and transport equipment safely for off-site events and touring work.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a sound technician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Digital mixing consoles such as Yamaha or DiGiCo
- Pro Tools and audio editing
- Microphone choice and placement
- Wireless frequency coordination
- Dante and audio networking basics
- Critical listening
- Calm fixes during live shows
- Stamina for long days and heavy lifting
Education and Training
Hands-on time at a digital console such as a Yamaha or DiGiCo, plus fluency in Pro Tools, is what most employers want to see. The usual credential is a certificate or associate degree in audio engineering. Volunteer work running sound at a church, school or local venue often leads to the first paid job.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $49,910 - $100,280 per year, with a median of $73,130.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Sound Engineering Technicians.
BLS projects employment of sound engineering technicians to decline about 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 1,000 openings a year. Those openings draw plenty of applicants. In May 2025 the lowest-paid quarter of the group earned less than about $50,000, and the highest-paid quarter earned more than about $100,300.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Sound engineering technicians.
Sound Technician Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $37,570 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $49,910 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $73,130 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $100,280 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $137,370 |
Highest-Paying States for Sound Technicians
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are New Jersey ($115,190), District of Columbia ($106,630), New York ($87,510), Nevada ($84,570), Maryland ($79,990). Pay is lowest in New Mexico ($45,690), South Carolina ($45,240), Utah ($36,400).
Median pay in all 35 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $66,350 |
| California | $78,150 |
| Colorado | $60,630 |
| Connecticut | $72,800 |
| District of Columbia | $106,630 |
| Florida | $70,360 |
| Georgia | $77,010 |
| Idaho | $54,970 |
| Illinois | $73,130 |
| Indiana | $73,130 |
| Iowa | $57,400 |
| Kansas | $62,710 |
| Kentucky | $74,100 |
| Louisiana | $55,530 |
| Maine | $48,380 |
| Maryland | $79,990 |
| Massachusetts | $63,250 |
| Michigan | $51,840 |
| Missouri | $61,750 |
| Montana | $57,600 |
| Nebraska | $63,810 |
| Nevada | $84,570 |
| New Hampshire | $65,630 |
| New Jersey | $115,190 |
| New Mexico | $45,690 |
| New York | $87,510 |
| North Carolina | $49,150 |
| Ohio | $64,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,490 |
| South Carolina | $45,240 |
| Tennessee | $60,500 |
| Texas | $54,370 |
| Utah | $36,400 |
| Virginia | $49,920 |
| Wisconsin | $46,780 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as sound engineering technicians about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 92% use email every day
- 88% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 84% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 83% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 80% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 72% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 68% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 32% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 20% |
| Bachelor's degree | 20% |
| Associate's degree | 12% |
Tools and Software Sound Technicians Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors as well as creative work and self-expression.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Operations Monitoring.
Knowledge areas used most: Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, Fine Arts, English Language, Engineering and Technology.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Sound Technician Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-4014.00 (Sound Engineering Technicians). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.