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The differences between audio engineers and sound 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 a sound engineer. Additionally, an audio engineer has an average salary of $55,853, which is higher than the $52,197 average annual salary of a sound engineer.
The top three skills for an audio engineer include video production, audio systems and audio visual. The most important skills for a sound engineer are audio equipment, venues, and A/V.
| Audio Engineer | Sound Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,853 | $52,197 |
| Hourly rate | $26.85 | $25.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 1,750 | 6,923 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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 engineers are audio engineering professionals who are responsible for performing audio mixes and reproduction while manipulating the equalization and electronic effects of sound. These engineers must design and control the sound at different locations such as theaters, conferences, and any other venue that requires sound projection. By using their well-trained ears, sound engineers must control the combination of microphones, sound levels, and sound outputs. Sound engineers must also maintain and sound up sound equipment such as amplifiers, complex PA systems, and speakers for bands and other sound engineers.
Audio engineers and sound engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Audio Engineer | Sound Engineer | |
| Average salary | $55,853 | $52,197 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $102,000 | Between $28,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Meta | Techtronic Industries TTI |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an audio engineer and a sound engineer in terms of educational background:
| Audio Engineer | Sound Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Music | Music |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between audio engineers' and sound engineers' demographics:
| Audio Engineer | Sound Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| 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, 9.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |