These days approximately 30% of all audio engineers establish their careers in the broadcasting industry.
The rest of them get hired in radio and TV stations. While a smaller percentage goes to video, cinema production, or the recording industry.
The cool thing about being and audio engineer is the variety of jobs you are capable of doing.
Common audio engineering gigs:
- TV and radio broadcasts
- Sports Events
- Conventions
- Plays
- Live Concerts
- Lectures
- Audio Recordings
- Rallies
- Political Gatherings
- Movies (Films)
Audio Engineer Salary Variables
Your audio engineering salary will typically be higher in large metropolitan areas. Which also means that finding a job in a larger city can be more difficult.
To better your chances of landing one these high paying audio engineers gigs, you should be focusing on knowledge and experience. Learn as much as you can in the beginning, then put that knowledge to work with tons of hands on experience.
Let’s Get to The Numbers
In September 2016, An Audio Engineer earns an average salary of $44,785 per year. Experience has a moderate effect on income for this job.
- 50% were able to take home between $46,370 and $67,010
- 10% earned less than $23,420.
- The top 10% earned $80,960 and up.
Who is Hiring?
- The video and film industries employed the largest group of engineering specialists. Paying a medial annual wage of $60, 470.
- While software publishers and computer gaming corporations payed a median annual wage of $65,520.
- The performing arts firms payed their engineers a median wage of $45,000.
The Highest Paying States
New York, California and Washington, D.C. payed the most with salaries from $70,000 to $95,000.
Digging Deeper
Specific metro areas like: Long Beach, Los Angeles and Glendale pay the most. Their medial annual salary is at $77,100.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you are thinking about a career in audio engineering you need to realize that there are a lot of people trying to do this for a living. It’s a great job, why wouldn’t they. The downside is that you are going to have to work that much harder.
If you are hesitant now, then find another profession, it will take absolute dedication to make audio engineering your career. But if you can persevere, the rewards are amazing. You get paid well to do a job you love. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Where to Start?
In order to begin you are going to need some training. Most would suggest an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
I would suggest that you take the classes you need, but also make sure to get hands on the faders as often as you can. Nothing can replace experience, and the connections you make actually doing the job, or as an intern can literally make or break your career.
You can find ‘on campus’ schools: Here
You can find online schools: Here
Internship Opportunities:
- Skywalker Sound
- CreatvSJ
- Studio Center
- Disney
- The Grammy’s
- Production Hub
- Entertainment Careers
- Making Contact: Production Internships
