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Recording engineer vs mixing engineer

The differences between recording engineers and mixing engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a recording engineer and a mixing engineer. Additionally, a mixing engineer has an average salary of $81,185, which is higher than the $78,099 average annual salary of a recording engineer.

The top three skills for a recording engineer include digital audio, R and music videos. The most important skills for a mixing engineer are audio equipment, R, and sound design.

Recording engineer vs mixing engineer overview

Recording EngineerMixing Engineer
Yearly salary$78,099$81,185
Hourly rate$37.55$39.03
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7,117516
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Recording engineer vs mixing engineer salary

Recording engineers and mixing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recording EngineerMixing Engineer
Average salary$78,099$81,185
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $135,000Between $48,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyWestern Digital-
Best paying industry--

Differences between recording engineer and mixing engineer education

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

Recording EngineerMixing Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Recording engineer vs mixing engineer demographics

Here are the differences between recording engineers' and mixing engineers' demographics:

Recording EngineerMixing Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 91.4% Female, 8.6%Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recording engineer and mixing engineer duties and responsibilities

Recording engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Prepare and run equipment during live FM broadcasts.
  • Work with ReverbNation, MP3.com, Facebook, YouTube platforms.
  • Trouble shooting software glitches in multiple DAW 's
  • Help on-site technician align Otari tape machine and SSL consoles
  • Record ADR for national TV and feature film projects.
  • Show more

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.

Recording engineer vs mixing engineer skills

Common recording engineer skills
  • Digital Audio, 17%
  • R, 8%
  • Music Videos, 6%
  • Analog, 6%
  • Studio Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
Common mixing engineer skills
  • Audio Equipment, 23%
  • R, 15%
  • Sound Design, 7%
  • Music Videos, 4%
  • SSL, 4%
  • Studio Equipment, 4%

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