Audio Engineering Career and Job Description

Audio engineering technicians require formal education and on-the-job training. Learn more about education, tasks and career information to see if it's the right choice for you.

Editing, creating and recording sounds is the main goal of an audio engineer. As they manage many electronic equipment, technical skills and sonic sensitivity are essential. Sound engineers can work in a variety of industries where the level of training required depends on the employer.

Essential information
Audio engineering technicians, also known as sound engineering technicians, do not work only in recording studios. They are responsible for the sounds we hear on radio, television and movies, on the Internet and at live performances. Most of these professionals acquire the necessary skills through formal education; On-the-job training is also important.

Information for a Career in Audio Engineering
Budding audio engineering technicians might be able to find basic work with training at a technical or vocational school. Programs typically last between one and two years, with some schools offering accelerated programs taking only a few months. For students who want more in-depth training, audio engineering programs are also available at the bachelor's and master's levels.

Audio engineering technicians work in a variety of locations, including recording studios, radio and television stations, film companies, editing and post-production houses, theaters and commercial studios. Job titles for audio engineering technicians are: recording engineer, sound editor, post-production editor, film or video game producer, music producer, radio engineer or broadcasting and sound engineer.

Job Outlook and Salary Information
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment in the audio engineering sector will increase by 2% between 2018 and 2028 (www.bls.gov). This limited growth is due to the double-edged sword of advanced technology; New innovations are constantly improving quality, but they also increase productivity and limit employment growth. Opportunities for broadcasting and sound engineering technicians are expected to be the most promising in the film and television industries.

The revenues of audio engineering technicians depend on their position and experience. The median annual income for sound engineering technicians was $ 52,390 in 2018, according to the BLS.

Job Duties
Whether working in a recording studio, in a live location, or in a post-production editing bay, audio engineering technicians must be familiar with complex electrical equipment. Sound boards, EQs, microphones, recording devices, mixing consoles and editing software are the tools of the audio engineering technician.

In addition to having technical skills, audio engineering technicians must be able to work well under pressure. They must also be good listeners and communicators in order to be able to distinguish and reproduce the sound that an artist or producer is trying to obtain.

Most sound engineers graduate from post-secondary education and gain additional skills on the job. They are used under a number of titles in movies, radio or concerts. The sound engineer strives to provide optimal sound quality and audio quality.