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The differences between audio engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an audio engineer and an electrical engineer. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, which is higher than the $55,853 average annual salary of an audio engineer.
The top three skills for an audio engineer include video production, audio systems and audio visual. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Audio Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,853 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $26.85 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 1,750 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Audio engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Audio Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $55,853 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $102,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an audio engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Audio Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Music | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between audio engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Audio Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |