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Film sound engineer salary
Average film sound engineer salary
$67,517
Understanding Film Sound Engineer Salaries
As of October 2025, a Film Sound Engineer earns an average salary of $67,517 per year. This salary can fluctuate based on various factors including geographical location, industry specialization, and years of experience. For instance, seasoned engineers typically command higher wages due to their expertise and established networks.
Salary by State
Film sound engineers in states like California and New York often report some of the highest salaries, reflecting the demand in major film production hubs. In contrast, regions with less film activity may offer lower compensation.
Career Opportunities
There are diverse job opportunities available for sound engineers, ranging from working on feature films to collaborating with television networks and streaming services. Pursuing internships and entry-level positions can be a great starting point, allowing professionals to build valuable experience and connections.
Next Steps
To maximize earning potential, film sound engineers should consider continuous learning and skill enhancement in areas like sound design and mixing. This commitment not only opens doors to higher-paying roles but also enriches their professional journey.
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Where can a Film Sound Engineer earn more?
Average film sound engineer salary by state
The highest-paying states for film sound engineers are Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Virginia. The lowest average film sound engineer salary states are Massachusetts, Delaware, and Maryland.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for film sound engineers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $85,643 | $41.17 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $78,609 | $37.79 |
| 3 | Arizona | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $87,403 | $42.02 |
| 5 | Virginia | $85,371 | $41.04 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $74,209 | $35.68 |
| 7 | North Carolina | $81,453 | $39.16 |
| 8 | Georgia | $75,525 | $36.31 |
| 9 | Alabama | $76,529 | $36.79 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $75,055 | $36.08 |
| 12 | Indiana | $71,014 | $34.14 |
| 13 | Utah | $70,678 | $33.98 |
| 14 | Ohio | $78,267 | $37.63 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $73,413 | $35.29 |
| 16 | California | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| 17 | Washington | $71,167 | $34.21 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $74,611 | $35.87 |
| 19 | Maine | $72,649 | $34.93 |
| 20 | Florida | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $74,041 | $35.60 |
| 22 | Michigan | $73,649 | $35.41 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $69,689 | $33.50 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $70,725 | $34.00 |
| 25 | Illinois | $71,423 | $34.34 |
| 26 | Colorado | $71,205 | $34.23 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $71,689 | $34.47 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $68,125 | $32.75 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $68,268 | $32.82 |
| 30 | Idaho | $69,360 | $33.35 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $60,913 | $29.29 |
| 32 | Montana | $67,963 | $32.67 |
| 33 | New York | $65,873 | $31.67 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| 35 | Kansas | $67,953 | $32.67 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $61,889 | $29.75 |
| 37 | Iowa | $68,854 | $33.10 |
| 38 | Missouri | $68,996 | $33.17 |
| 39 | Delaware | $46,128 | $22.18 |
| 40 | Alaska | $59,817 | $28.76 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $67,282 | $32.35 |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $46,241 | $22.23 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | $45,604 | $21.93 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $45,663 | $21.95 |
| 45 | Vermont | $43,770 | $21.04 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $60,385 | $29.03 |
| 47 | Texas | $60,842 | $29.25 |
| 48 | Rhode Island | $46,531 | $22.37 |
| 49 | Connecticut | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| 50 | Maryland | $45,741 | $21.99 |
| 51 | Nevada | $44,274 | $21.29 |
Highest paying cities for film sound engineers
The highest-paying cities for film sound engineers are Alameda, CA, Fremont, CA, and San Jose, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda, CA | $80,023 | $38.47 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $79,691 | $38.31 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $79,436 | $38.19 |
| 4 | Newton, NJ | $73,309 | $35.24 |
| 5 | Anza, CA | $72,002 | $34.62 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $70,941 | $34.11 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $65,320 | $31.40 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $60,846 | $29.25 |
Film sound engineer salary details
A film sound engineer's salary ranges from $48,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $94,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a film sound engineer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $94,000 | $7,833 | $45 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $6,667 | $38 |
| Average | $67,517 | $5,626 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
Highest paying film sound engineer jobs
The highest paying types of film sound engineers are studio engineer, engineer, and mixing engineer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer | $92,076 | $7,673 | $44.27 | 618,207 |
| Sound Designer | $71,949 | $5,996 | $34.59 | 50,235 |
| Audio Engineer | $55,853 | $4,654 | $26.85 | 1,750 |
| Sound Engineer | $52,197 | $4,350 | $25.09 | 6,923 |
Top companies hiring film sound engineers now:
Which companies pay film sound engineers the most?
Film sound engineer salaries at Micron Technology and Thorlabs are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average film sound engineer salary at companies like Science and Suny Poly Sematech are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micron Technology | $92,242 | $44.35 |
| 2 | Thorlabs | $76,366 | $36.71 |
| 3 | Science | $74,137 | $35.64 |
| 4 | Suny Poly Sematech | $73,846 | $35.50 |
| 5 | Excelitas | $68,467 | $32.92 |
| 6 | FlightSafety International | $68,229 | $32.80 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Film sound engineer salary trends
The average film sound engineer salary has risen by $8,541 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average film sound engineer earned $58,976 annually, but today, they earn $67,517 a year. That works out to a 0% change in pay for film sound engineers over the last decade.
Compare film sound engineer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average film sound engineer salary over time
Compare film sound engineer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Film sound engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $67,500 | $32.46 | -2.3% |
| 2024 | $69,100 | $33.20 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $66,100 | $31.77 | -6.5% |
| 2022 | $70,400 | $33.85 | +3.8% |
| 2021 | $67,700 | $32.56 | +0.7% |
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