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Sound Technicians Job Overview

Sound technicians use machines and equipments to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions. They use varied types of recording equipment, but computers are the primary tool. They set up microphones to capture sounds, use mixing boards to control the amount of input from different performers, adjust dials and move switches to change the input while the performance is on and maintain all sound equipment. They adjust the recording level, volume and tone quality to achieve the desired sound.

Sound Technicians Schools and Degrees

Sound technicians should acquire training from technical school, community college or college in broadcast technology, electronics or computer networking. Sound technicians typically complete vocational programs, which usually takes about a year, although there are shorter programs. Prospective technicians should take high school courses in math, physics and electronics. They learn skills from experienced technicians and supervisors on the job. Private schools also offer sound technology programs.

Job Requirements

Employers hire beginning technicians as assistants and prefer assistants who have experience as sound technicians. Experience may be from internships or volunteer work. Technicians who have built strong reputations in their field are most likely to find work. They also prefer technicians who have completed formal training programs and employees who can get along with a variety of people. They perform a variety of tasks in small stations, but at large stations their work is much more specialized, though job assignments may change from day to day. The terms “operator,” “engineer,” and “technician” often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs.

Nature of Work

Sound technicians generally work indoors in pleasant environments. But those who work on location may work outdoors in all types of weather or in other dangerous conditions. Technicians work a 40-hour week, but those working at small stations regularly work more than 40 hours a week. Technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule and may work long hours to meet contractual deadlines. Their tasks may include consulting with performers and producers to determine the desired sound effects; using recording equipment to record speech, music, and other sounds; mixing and editing voices and music during live performances; setting up, testing and adjusting the recording equipment; maintaining recording equipment; reporting equipment problems and ensuring repairs are made.

Sound Technicians Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, sound technicians held 16,000 about jobs in the U.S. That number is expected to grow by 9% during the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:

• Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
• Motion Picture and Video Industries
• Performing Arts Companies
• Radio and Television Broadcasting
• Sound Recording Industries

The mean hourly wage for sound technicians in the US is about $26.07, while the mean annual wages are around $54,220.

Job Numbers and Growth

There are an estimated 16,000 sound techs nationally. Most recently, workers have experienced a low level of joblessness. An estimated 4% of employees did not have employment in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Sound techs -of-a-feather seem to flock to New York (New York), San Francisco (California), and Myrtle Beach (South Carolina). They are less likely to be found around San Antonio (Texas), Houston (Texas), and Riverside (California).

Compensation of workers is best in Nassau (New York), Washington (District of Columbia), and Las Vegas (Nevada), and much worse in Cincinnati (Ohio), Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), and Greenville (South Carolina).

Training and Education

Employees often find employers are looking for a postsecondary vocational award. Sound techs, in 35% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 44% of workers pursued some additional career education. Employees, in 21% of cases, had only a high school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Sound techs employed part-time are 13% of the total. Workers, in about 11% of cases, work for themselves.

Sound Techs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Hawaii

Illinois

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Washington

Wisconsin