Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Audio Engineer salary in US
A Audio Engineer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Audio Engineer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $41,458 to $102,563 per year, based on 9 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Audio Engineer in US can make a salary range of $30,295 to $94,619 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 380 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Audio Engineer gets the highest compensation are Meta, Apple Inc. and Zoom Video Communications Inc. Bigger companies typically pay 35.00% more than smaller companies for a Audio Engineer.
Frequently asked questions about Audio Engineer salaries
The average salary for Audio Engineer is $71,534 per year or $34 per hour, with top earners making up to $117,205 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $55,436 (25th percentile) to $93,007 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 1883 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Audio Engineer employees.
The highest salary for Audio Engineer is $93,007 per year, $7,751 per month or $45 per hour.
The lowest salary for Audio Engineer is $55,436 per year, $4,620 per month or $27 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Audio Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $71,534 per year (estimate) and goes up to $186,035 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Audio engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, audio engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.
The average audio engineer makes $61,297.32 per year, with 78% of audio engineers reporting satisfaction with their pay according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. Potential additional pay via bonuses, profit sharing, and commission may equal up to $10,237.15.
It's typical to earn between $44,094.70 and $117,204.69 over the course of your audio engineer career. Some audio engineers start their careers with a high school diploma or GED, but most have either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as sound production or audio engineering. With time, experience, and higher education, you may eventually become an audio engineering director.
When you're looking to move up in your audio engineering career and make more money, research in-demand skills first. Audio engineering is a technology-dependent field, so learning new programs and techniques as they develop can benefit you. Advancing your education can open doors for a higher salary as an audio engineer, especially if you go for a bachelor's degree. After five years in the audio engineering field, you can take an exam through the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) and earn the Certified Audio Engineer certification. Your education counts towards your years of experience for this certification, so candidates with a bachelor's degree would need one year of additional experience.
When you receive an audio engineering job offer with a lower salary than you were hoping for, have a justification ready for your counteroffer. List your qualifications, preferably things that make you stand out from other candidates like internships, education, or certifications, then follow those qualifications up with the salary range you think you deserve. Use phrasing that highlights your value, like "Given these qualifications, I think [desired salary] is fair compensation." If you're negotiating a salary at your current job, performance reviews and client feedback can help you demonstrate why you deserve a raise. 10 to 20% is a typical request for a raise in an audio engineer salary.
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Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Audio Engineer in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $107,114, Manufacturing with a median total pay of $87,017, Media & Communication with a median total pay of $61,492, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $59,806, and Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $59,608.
Information Technology
Top paying companies in Information Technology for Audio Engineer are Meta, Audible, and Amazon.
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Belmont University