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Accompanist vs audio engineer

The differences between accompanists and audio engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an accompanist, becoming an audio engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an audio engineer has an average salary of $55,853, which is higher than the $52,645 average annual salary of an accompanist.

The top three skills for an accompanist include music theory, sight-read and piano performance. The most important skills for an audio engineer are video production, audio systems, and audio visual.

Accompanist vs audio engineer overview

AccompanistAudio Engineer
Yearly salary$52,645$55,853
Hourly rate$25.31$26.85
Growth rate4%10%
Number of jobs1971,750
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4542
Years of experience42

What does an accompanist do?

An Accompanist is a person who provides musical accompaniment to another musician or to a singer. They generally play keyboard instruments, such as piano, pipe organ, or synthesizer.

What does an audio engineer do?

An audio engineer is a trained professional who specializes in working with the mechanics of recording, mixing, and reproducing sound. Audio engineers work with clients such as record producers, musicians, and artists to record the sound they are making and manipulate the equalizer, the compression, and the gates when mixing. They must possess excellent skills in operating recording equipment as well as maintain them. Audio engineers can also work in different audio fields that can include church audio, live performances, and internet radio.

Accompanist vs audio engineer salary

Accompanists and audio engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

AccompanistAudio Engineer
Average salary$52,645$55,853
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $111,000Between $30,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityHempstead, NYNovato, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkOregon
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictMeta
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between accompanist and audio engineer education

There are a few differences between an accompanist and an audio engineer in terms of educational background:

AccompanistAudio Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeStanford UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Accompanist vs audio engineer demographics

Here are the differences between accompanists' and audio engineers' demographics:

AccompanistAudio Engineer
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 38.6% Female, 61.4%Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between accompanist and audio engineer duties and responsibilities

Accompanist example responsibilities.

  • Provide solos for worship services, lead tenor section of adult choir
  • Chart chords for gospel choir songs.
  • Accompany individual voice, violin, and cello students.
  • Accompany cello, violin and piano students in competition, recital, workshop, and certification programs.
  • Perform in piano bars, cabarets, and clubs all over NYC, Off-Broadway, and in summer stock
  • Accompany solo singers during rehearsals and competitions.
  • Show more

Audio engineer example 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).
  • Stabilize IFB communication systems for talent/clientele and production teams.
  • Prepare audio, amps, and cords.
  • Show more

Accompanist vs audio engineer skills

Common accompanist skills
  • Music Theory, 18%
  • Sight-Read, 16%
  • Piano Performance, 16%
  • Singers, 8%
  • Piano Accompaniment, 8%
  • Musical Theatre, 7%
Common audio engineer skills
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Audio Systems, 7%
  • Audio Visual, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Video Conferencing, 4%

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