Sound Engineer Salary Overview
The Sound Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $60,600. Compensation typically ranges from $32,600 for entry-level positions to $112,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Sound Engineer in the US earns between $32,600 and $112,400 per year, with a median of $60,600.
Sound Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level sound engineers earn around $39,390, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $81,810 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $36,966 | $18/hr | $31,081 |
| Mid | $60,600 | $29/hr | $48,784 |
| Senior | $76,356 | $37/hr | $58,864 |
| Lead | $90,900 | $44/hr | $67,743 |
Sound Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Sound Engineer in each US state.
Pay for sound engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,865 | $4,636 | $47,866 | 21.0% |
| Alaska | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| Arizona | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,150 | $4,636 | $49,581 | 18.2% |
| Arkansas | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,440 | $4,636 | $48,290 | 20.3% |
| California | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,946 | $4,636 | $48,784 | 19.5% |
| Colorado | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,006 | $4,636 | $48,724 | 19.6% |
| Connecticut | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,583 | $4,636 | $48,148 | 20.5% |
| Delaware | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,796 | $4,636 | $47,934 | 20.9% |
| District of Columbia | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,590 | $4,636 | $48,141 | 20.6% |
| Florida | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| Georgia | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,668 | $4,636 | $48,062 | 20.7% |
| Hawaii | $60,600 | $5,234 | $4,072 | $4,636 | $46,659 | 23.0% |
| Idaho | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,668 | $4,636 | $48,063 | 20.7% |
| Illinois | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,862 | $4,636 | $47,868 | 21.0% |
| Indiana | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,848 | $4,636 | $48,882 | 19.3% |
| Iowa | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,303 | $4,636 | $48,428 | 20.1% |
| Kansas | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,797 | $4,636 | $47,933 | 20.9% |
| Kentucky | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,298 | $4,636 | $48,433 | 20.1% |
| Louisiana | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,994 | $4,636 | $48,736 | 19.6% |
| Maine | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,858 | $4,636 | $47,873 | 21.0% |
| Maryland | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,705 | $4,636 | $48,026 | 20.7% |
| Massachusetts | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,810 | $4,636 | $47,921 | 20.9% |
| Michigan | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,338 | $4,636 | $48,393 | 20.1% |
| Minnesota | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,670 | $4,636 | $48,060 | 20.7% |
| Mississippi | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,270 | $4,636 | $48,460 | 20.0% |
| Missouri | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,038 | $4,636 | $48,693 | 19.6% |
| Montana | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,468 | $4,636 | $48,263 | 20.4% |
| Nebraska | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,018 | $4,636 | $48,712 | 19.6% |
| Nevada | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| New Hampshire | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| New Jersey | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,856 | $4,636 | $48,875 | 19.3% |
| New Mexico | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,974 | $4,636 | $48,756 | 19.5% |
| New York | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,863 | $4,636 | $47,867 | 21.0% |
| North Carolina | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,153 | $4,636 | $48,577 | 19.8% |
| North Dakota | $60,600 | $5,234 | $897 | $4,636 | $49,834 | 17.8% |
| Ohio | $60,600 | $5,234 | $948 | $4,636 | $49,782 | 17.9% |
| Oklahoma | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,388 | $4,636 | $48,342 | 20.2% |
| Oregon | $60,600 | $5,234 | $4,777 | $4,636 | $45,953 | 24.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,860 | $4,636 | $48,870 | 19.4% |
| Rhode Island | $60,600 | $5,234 | $1,877 | $4,636 | $48,854 | 19.4% |
| South Carolina | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,251 | $4,636 | $48,480 | 20.0% |
| South Dakota | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| Tennessee | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| Texas | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| Utah | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,818 | $4,636 | $47,913 | 20.9% |
| Vermont | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,059 | $4,636 | $48,672 | 19.7% |
| Virginia | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,968 | $4,636 | $47,762 | 21.2% |
| Washington | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
| West Virginia | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,214 | $4,636 | $48,516 | 19.9% |
| Wisconsin | $60,600 | $5,234 | $2,124 | $4,636 | $48,607 | 19.8% |
| Wyoming | $60,600 | $5,234 | $0 | $4,636 | $50,731 | 16.3% |
Top Cities for Sound Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for sound engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,660 |
| New York, NY | $66,660 |
| Nashville, TN | $66,660 |
| Atlanta, GA | $66,660 |
| Austin, TX | $66,660 |
Calculate Sound Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Sound Engineer
Becoming a sound engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Sound Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of sound engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Sound Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for sound engineers in the US is $60,600, with a typical range from $32,600 to $112,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for sound engineers include CA, NY, TN. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level sound engineers can expect to earn around $39,390 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a sound engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for sound engineers is approximately $29.13, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.