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Recording engineer vs studio engineer

The differences between recording engineers and studio 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 studio engineer. Additionally, a studio engineer has an average salary of $93,539, 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 studio engineer are CAD, audio equipment, and troubleshoot.

Recording engineer vs studio engineer overview

Recording EngineerStudio Engineer
Yearly salary$78,099$93,539
Hourly rate$37.55$44.97
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7,1177,875
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Recording engineer vs studio engineer salary

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

Recording EngineerStudio Engineer
Average salary$78,099$93,539
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $135,000Between $65,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOregonOregon
Best paying companyWestern DigitalNetflix
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between recording engineer and studio engineer education

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

Recording EngineerStudio Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Recording engineer vs studio engineer demographics

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

Recording EngineerStudio Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 91.4% Female, 8.6%Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recording engineer and studio 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

Studio engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Perform all routine maintenance of studio equipment and troubleshoot equipment failures.
  • Perform required FCC monitoring and documentation.
  • Maintain facility drawings and create project designs utilizing AutoCAD.
  • Create detailed broadcast drawings using advance AutoCAD LT and add-on extraction applications.
  • Expedite and simplify the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models
  • Show more

Recording engineer vs studio engineer skills

Common recording engineer skills
  • Digital Audio, 17%
  • R, 8%
  • Music Videos, 6%
  • Analog, 6%
  • Studio Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
Common studio engineer skills
  • CAD, 21%
  • Audio Equipment, 13%
  • Troubleshoot, 11%
  • Music Videos, 5%
  • Pro Tools, 5%
  • Catia V5, 4%

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