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Mixing engineer vs sound mixer

The differences between mixing engineers and sound mixers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a mixing engineer and a sound mixer. Additionally, a mixing engineer has an average salary of $81,185, which is higher than the $37,059 average annual salary of a sound mixer.

The top three skills for a mixing engineer include audio equipment, R and sound design. The most important skills for a sound mixer are sound design, pro tools, and documentaries.

Mixing engineer vs sound mixer overview

Mixing EngineerSound Mixer
Yearly salary$81,185$37,059
Hourly rate$39.03$17.82
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs5161,182
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Mixing engineer vs sound mixer salary

Mixing engineers and sound mixers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mixing EngineerSound Mixer
Average salary$81,185$37,059
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $134,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between mixing engineer and sound mixer education

There are a few differences between a mixing engineer and a sound mixer in terms of educational background:

Mixing EngineerSound Mixer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Mixing engineer vs sound mixer demographics

Here are the differences between mixing engineers' and sound mixers' demographics:

Mixing EngineerSound Mixer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between mixing engineer and sound mixer duties and responsibilities

Mixing engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Retain several local and national commercial clients while primarily engineering and producing music CDs.
  • Operate production board for high school basketball and baseball games without managerial supervision.

Sound mixer example responsibilities.

  • Produce by BBC and PBS; shown nationally.
  • Sound recordist for independent film, radio, and television productions.
  • Record ADR and foley where require.
  • Mix feature length documentaries in both English and Spanish.
  • Edit and add SFX to prep shows for mix.
  • Assist in setting up various film equipment as needed.
  • Show more

Mixing engineer vs sound mixer skills

Common mixing engineer skills
  • Audio Equipment, 23%
  • R, 15%
  • Sound Design, 7%
  • Music Videos, 4%
  • SSL, 4%
  • Studio Equipment, 4%
Common sound mixer skills
  • Sound Design, 22%
  • Pro Tools, 15%
  • Documentaries, 14%
  • ADR, 10%
  • Sound Equipment, 9%
  • SFX, 8%

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