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Recording engineer vs music engineer

The differences between recording engineers and music 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 music engineer. Additionally, a music engineer has an average salary of $80,422, 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 music engineer are audio equipment, music production, and R.

Recording engineer vs music engineer overview

Recording EngineerMusic Engineer
Yearly salary$78,099$80,422
Hourly rate$37.55$38.66
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7,1173,210
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Recording engineer vs music engineer salary

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

Recording EngineerMusic Engineer
Average salary$78,099$80,422
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $135,000Between $53,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyWestern Digital-
Best paying industry--

Differences between recording engineer and music engineer education

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

Recording EngineerMusic Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityNew York University

Recording engineer vs music engineer demographics

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

Recording EngineerMusic Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 91.4% Female, 8.6%Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recording engineer and music 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

Music engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Operate various digital and analog audio consoles during musical performances to create optimal experience for listener and musicians.
  • Retain several local and national commercial clients while primarily engineering and producing music CDs.

Recording engineer vs music engineer skills

Common recording engineer skills
  • Digital Audio, 17%
  • R, 8%
  • Music Videos, 6%
  • Analog, 6%
  • Studio Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
Common music engineer skills
  • Audio Equipment, 18%
  • Music Production, 17%
  • R, 14%
  • Pro Tools, 14%
  • Music Theory, 14%
  • Sound Effects, 9%

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