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The differences between audio engineers and sound designers 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 a sound designer. Additionally, a sound designer has an average salary of $71,949, 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 a sound designer are audio assets, pro tools, and wwise.
| Audio Engineer | Sound Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,853 | $71,949 |
| Hourly rate | $26.85 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 1,750 | 50,235 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| 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.
Sound designers are audio professionals who are responsible for procuring all sound effects to be used for specific show products that can be either recorded or live. These designers are required to meet with production directors to discuss the sound design for the show and to make the cue list. They are required to set up any sound reinforcement equipment that may be needed for production. Sound designers must also be familiar with sound editing programs such as Audacity and QLab.
Audio engineers and sound designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Audio Engineer | Sound Designer | |
| Average salary | $55,853 | $71,949 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $102,000 | Between $42,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an audio engineer and a sound designer in terms of educational background:
| Audio Engineer | Sound Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Music | Music |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | New York University |
Here are the differences between audio engineers' and sound designers' demographics:
| Audio Engineer | Sound Designer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| 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, 8.2% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |