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Music producer vs audio engineer

The differences between music producers and audio engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a music producer, becoming an audio engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a music producer has an average salary of $56,752, which is higher than the $55,853 average annual salary of an audio engineer.

The top three skills for a music producer include R, audio engineering and music production. The most important skills for an audio engineer are video production, audio systems, and audio visual.

Music producer vs audio engineer overview

Music ProducerAudio Engineer
Yearly salary$56,752$55,853
Hourly rate$27.28$26.85
Growth rate8%10%
Number of jobs13,9501,750
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4042
Years of experience122

Music producer vs audio engineer salary

Music producers and audio engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Music ProducerAudio Engineer
Average salary$56,752$55,853
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $81,000Between $30,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNovato, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkOregon
Best paying companyAmazonMeta
Best paying industryStart-up-

Differences between music producer and audio engineer education

There are a few differences between a music producer and an audio engineer in terms of educational background:

Music ProducerAudio Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyJohns Hopkins University

Music producer vs audio engineer demographics

Here are the differences between music producers' and audio engineers' demographics:

Music ProducerAudio Engineer
Average age4042
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage14%8%

Differences between music producer and audio engineer duties and responsibilities

Music producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage custom-built media duplication arrays, printers and packaging systems (VHS, CD, DVD).
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Produce award winning Samsung short as part of a highly successful integrate campaign.
  • Post audio for multimedia productions including mixing, ADR, Foley and scoring.
  • Design and produce high-level PowerPoint presentations for large-scale corporate events and key stand-alone projects.
  • Operate production board for high school basketball and baseball games without managerial supervision.

Audio engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Manage troubleshooting of videoconferencing and networking equipment.
  • Freelance engineer for sound reinforcement, broadcast audio, teleconferencing, and truck A1.
  • Serve as audio engineer, sound board operator, and backstage audio technician (A2).
  • Stabilize IFB communication systems for talent/clientele and production teams.
  • Prepare audio, amps, and cords.
  • Show more

Music producer vs audio engineer skills

Common music producer skills
  • R, 18%
  • Audio Engineering, 14%
  • Music Production, 9%
  • Pro Tools, 8%
  • Mac, 5%
  • Music Videos, 4%
Common audio engineer skills
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Audio Systems, 7%
  • Audio Visual, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Video Conferencing, 4%

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