Sound Engineering Technician Career
There are many different career paths for a sound engineering technician. Some people work in a recording studio, which involves setting up gear for bands, podcast hosts, and voice actors. This can be a pretty comfortable job. After all, most recording studios are designed to be comfortable places to hang out, and engineers usually get to rest for a few hours during recording sessions.
Other technicians run the audio for live concerts. This kind of work can be stressful since the show can’t stop once it starts, requiring technicians to think on their feet to quickly solve problems. Another factor is that most work happens in the afternoon and evening. Concert engineering is an exciting way to make a living, but may be too stressful for some people.
Sound Engineering Technician Career Snapshot
The work environment is usually casual and social. People in this line of work won’t have to wear a suit and tie, but they do have to be flexible to their boss’s needs and will be asked to stay at work until the job is done, no matter how long that takes.
Further details on a career as a sound engineer are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the estimated annual pay for sound engineers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High school diploma or equivalent; 25% have a Post-secondary certificate.
Sound Engineering Tech Education
Sound engineering technicians typically need a postsecondary nondegree award or certificate. These program may take several months to a year to complete and will include practical education on how to use the equipment.
Sound Engineering Tech Job Duties
There is the potential for extreme success in this field. If somebody is able to secure sound engineering work with famous artists or major recording labels, there is the opportunity to make a lot of money. Most people will stay in more modest jobs, but can still make a decent living as their experience adds up.
Sound Engineering Tech Salaries
The salary range for this job is from $22,510 to $118,530 per year. The median salary is $53,330 according to BLS.gov May 2015 reports.
Sound Engineering Tech Job Outlook
Sound engineering technicians have to carry lots of music and recording gear, including very heavy pieces of equipment. After the gear is lugged into the studio or venue, the engineer will need to set it all up. In addition to the technical aspects of the job, they have to interact with a lot of new people on a daily basis. A friendly demeanor goes a long way, as does the ability to quickly memorize names.
Sound Engineering Technician Skills & Traits
| Sound Engineering Tech Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Sound Engineering Techs: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Active Listening • Speaking • Critical Thinking • Reading Comprehension • Monitoring | • Near Vision • Oral Expression • Oral Comprehension • Written Expression • Hearing Sensitivity | • Audio mixing consoles • Equalizers • Microphones • Multimeters • Radio frequency transmitters or receivers | • Working with Computers • Creative Thinking • Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships • Decision Making • Documenting Information |
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