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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Sound Engineering Technicians

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 27-4014.00

What the work is

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

On a typical day

  • Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
  • Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
  • Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
  • Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
  • Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
  • Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.

What it pays

$61,740
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $33,000
Experienced workers reach $71,790
  1. $33k10th
  2. $44k25th
  3. $62kMedian
  4. $72k75th
  5. $72k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $33,000, 25th $43,680, Median $61,740, 75th $71,790, 90th $71,790

About 40 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

-2%

U.S. employment change

1,200

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

16,900

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award · Training: Short-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening3.5
  2. Speaking3.1
  3. Reading Comprehension3.5
  4. Critical Thinking3.6
  5. Complex Problem Solving3.3
  6. Writing3.1
  7. Monitoring3.5
  8. Active Learning3.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less37%
  2. Certificate11%
  3. Some college7%
  4. Associate degree22%
  5. Bachelor's degree22%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

No Alamo program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

Browse all programs

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

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