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The differences between audio engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an audio engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, 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 engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Audio Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,853 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $26.85 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 1,750 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Audio engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Audio Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $55,853 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $102,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an audio engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Audio Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Music | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between audio engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Audio Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |