Is audio engineering a good career?

Yes, audio engineering is a good career. The demand for audio engineers is high, as the music and entertainment world continues to evolve. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in this field is projected to grow 9% in the next 10 years, making it faster than the job growth average of other occupations.

How To Become An Audio Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an audio engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

The primary duty of an audio engineer is to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects using machinery and equipment. Audio engineers work on the production of movies, music recordings, live shows, or video games. They work with producers, performers, and other audio engineers. Likewise, they provide oversight during live productions. They minimize unwanted sounds, regulate sound quality and volume levels, and set up ambient sound microphones. Additionally, they design audio systems across multiple product lines and develop robust architectures. Also, they ensure the audio systems are tested and working perfectly.

Most audio engineers often attend vocational programs after high school. They may also earn a certification after five years of experience in the field from the Society of Broadcast Engineers. They usually possess problem-solving, critical thinking, multitasking, communication, and time management skills. The salary of an audio engineer ranges from $39,875 to $62,069, with an average gross salary of $46,956 annually.

What general advice would you give to an Audio Engineer?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Be open to new experiences. Find a good mentor. Become a valued employee. Always remember that you are designing something for someone.

ScoreAudio EngineerUS Average

Salary

4.4

Avg. Salary $55,853

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.9

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.09%

Black or African American 9.65%

Hispanic or Latino 16.43%

Unknown 6.25%

White 62.21%

Gender

female 7.72%

male 92.28%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress Level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.5

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

0.5

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become an audio engineer

Explore audio engineer education requirements

Most common audio engineer degrees

Bachelor's

54.5 %

Associate

25.5 %

High School Diploma

7.4 %

Start to develop specific audio engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Video Production	8.25%
Audio Systems	7.45%
Audio Visual	7.14%
Audio Equipment	7.09%
Troubleshoot	5.94%

Complete relevant audio engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New audio engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an audio engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real audio engineer resumes.

Gain additional audio engineer certifications

Audio engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific audio engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for audio engineers include Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) and Avid Certified Operator for Pro Tools | Post.

More About Certifications

Research audio engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
Manage troubleshooting of videoconferencing and networking equipment.
Freelance engineer for sound reinforcement, broadcast audio, teleconferencing, and truck A1.
Serve as audio engineer, sound board operator, and backstage audio technician (A2).

Prepare your audio engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your audio engineer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an audio engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Audio Engineer Resume templates

Build a professional Audio Engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Audio Engineer resume.