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The differences between broadcast engineers 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 a broadcast engineer, becoming an audio engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a broadcast engineer has an average salary of $70,490, which is higher than the $55,853 average annual salary of an audio engineer.
The top three skills for a broadcast engineer include transmitters, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for an audio engineer are video production, audio systems, and audio visual.
| Broadcast Engineer | Audio Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,490 | $55,853 |
| Hourly rate | $33.89 | $26.85 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 7,228 | 1,750 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A broadcast engineer specializes in handling and maintaining broadcasting equipment. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, setting-up video and audio equipment, troubleshooting problems, performing repairs, and recommending upgrades as necessary. They may also develop strategies to optimize operations, establish guidelines, and provide technical support to staff, educating them on how to operate machines effectively. Moreover, a broadcast engineer must perform regular maintenance checks and enforce safety policies to ensure a smooth workflow and safe work environment for everyone.
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.
Broadcast engineers and audio engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Broadcast Engineer | Audio Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,490 | $55,853 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $98,000 | Between $30,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a broadcast engineer and an audio engineer in terms of educational background:
| Broadcast Engineer | Audio Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Music |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between broadcast engineers' and audio engineers' demographics:
| Broadcast Engineer | Audio Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |