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Sound editor salary
Average sound editor salary
$48,306
Average Sound Editor Salary
The salary for sound editors can vary widely across different states and industries. Currently, the average salary is approximately $48,306 per year. More experienced sound editors often command higher salaries, with those in top positions earning significantly more.
How Location Influences Salary
Sound editors in states like California and New York tend to earn the highest salaries, influenced by the demand for media production and entertainment. For example, sound editors in California may earn over $60,000 annually compared to those in less populated states.
Industries with Higher Salaries
Industries such as film production, television, and gaming offer some of the highest salaries for sound editors. Professionals in these fields find numerous opportunities for advancement and specialization, which can lead to increased earnings.
Career Prospects
With the growing demand for multimedia content, the job outlook for sound editors remains positive. Pursuing certifications or additional training can further enhance job prospects and earning potential in this dynamic field.
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Where can a Sound Editor earn more?
Sound editor salary estimates from across the web
Average sound editor salary by state
The average sound editor salary in California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average sound editor salary states are North Dakota, Montana, and Massachusetts.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for sound editors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $60,522 | $29.10 |
| 2 | California | $64,601 | $31.06 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $64,586 | $31.05 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $53,971 | $25.95 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $58,881 | $28.31 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $54,004 | $25.96 |
| 7 | Arizona | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| 8 | Florida | $52,812 | $25.39 |
| 9 | Oregon | $49,766 | $23.93 |
| 10 | Ohio | $53,356 | $25.65 |
| 11 | Alabama | $51,105 | $24.57 |
| 12 | New York | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| 13 | Georgia | $49,762 | $23.92 |
| 14 | Michigan | $49,640 | $23.87 |
| 15 | Utah | $46,035 | $22.13 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $50,707 | $24.38 |
| 17 | Oklahoma | $49,908 | $23.99 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $45,092 | $21.68 |
| 19 | Illinois | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| 20 | Texas | $46,053 | $22.14 |
| 21 | Indiana | $46,111 | $22.17 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $47,911 | $23.03 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $48,277 | $23.21 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $44,768 | $21.52 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $43,968 | $21.14 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $46,525 | $22.37 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $41,375 | $19.89 |
| 29 | Colorado | $43,897 | $21.10 |
| 30 | Maine | $43,939 | $21.12 |
| 31 | Missouri | $42,502 | $20.43 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $45,207 | $21.73 |
| 33 | Idaho | $39,198 | $18.85 |
| 34 | Washington | $35,879 | $17.25 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $34,742 | $16.70 |
| 36 | Kansas | $42,162 | $20.27 |
| 37 | Iowa | $41,206 | $19.81 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $39,739 | $19.11 |
| 39 | Delaware | $34,475 | $16.57 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | $33,293 | $16.01 |
| 41 | Alaska | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 42 | Nevada | $34,038 | $16.36 |
| 43 | Maryland | $33,610 | $16.16 |
| 44 | Massachusetts | $32,203 | $15.48 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $39,606 | $19.04 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $38,028 | $18.28 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $33,447 | $16.08 |
| 48 | Vermont | $27,142 | $13.05 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | $29,925 | $14.39 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | $33,784 | $16.24 |
| 51 | Montana | $33,382 | $16.05 |
Highest paying cities for sound editors
The highest-paying cities for sound editors are Calabasas, CA, Burbank, CA, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calabasas, CA | $63,601 | $30.58 |
| 2 | Burbank, CA | $63,321 | $30.44 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $63,233 | $30.40 |
| 4 | Glendale, CA | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $49,372 | $23.74 |
Sound editor salary details
A sound editor's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $113,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a sound editor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 | $36 |
| Average | $48,306 | $4,026 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
Highest paying sound editor jobs
The highest paying types of sound editors are studio engineer, mixing engineer, and music engineer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance Videographer/Editor | $48,481 | $4,040 | $23.31 | 5,409 |
| Audio Engineer | $55,853 | $4,654 | $26.85 | 1,750 |
| Freelance Video Editor | $54,795 | $4,566 | $26.34 | 5,910 |
| Sound Designer | $71,949 | $5,996 | $34.59 | 50,235 |
| Video Editor | $51,131 | $4,261 | $24.58 | 5,603 |
| Editor | $52,107 | $4,342 | $25.05 | 15,115 |
Top companies hiring sound editors now:
Which companies pay sound editors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomson Reuters | $94,944 | $45.65 |
| 2 | The Walt Disney Company | $79,531 | $38.24 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Sound Editor salary by industry
The average sound editor salary varies across industries:
- The average sound editor salary in the media industry is $47,769, the highest of any industry.
- The average sound editor salary in the finance industry is $43,285.
- Sound editors in the transportation industry earn an average salary of $30,596, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for sound editors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $47,769 | $22.97 |
| 2 | Technology | $43,285 | $20.81 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $43,059 | $20.70 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $34,298 | $16.49 |
| 5 | Transportation | $30,596 | $14.71 |
High paying sound editor jobs
Sound editor salary trends
The average sound editor salary has risen by $6,110 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average sound editor earned $42,196 annually, but today, they earn $48,306 a year. That works out to a 0% change in pay for sound editors over the last decade.
Compare sound editor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average sound editor salary over time
Compare sound editor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Sound editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,300 | $23.22 | -2.3% |
| 2024 | $49,400 | $23.75 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $47,300 | $22.73 | -6.5% |
| 2022 | $50,400 | $24.22 | +3.8% |
| 2021 | $48,500 | $23.29 | +0.7% |
Recently added sound editor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recording Connection | Sound Effects Editor | Los Angeles, CA | 09/26/2024 | $35,000 |
| Recording Connection | Sound Effects Editor | Los Angeles, CA | 09/10/2024 | $35,000 |
| Calm.com, Inc. | Supervising Sound Editor | New York, NY | 02/02/2024 | $125,000 |
| Calm.com, Inc. | Supervising Sound Editor | New York, NY | 02/02/2024 | $125,000 |
| Calm.com, Inc. | Supervising Sound Editor | New York, NY | 01/26/2024 | $7,043,625 |
| Calm.com, Inc. | Supervising Sound Editor | New York, NY | 01/26/2024 | $7,043,625 |
| Walt Disney Co | Associate Sound Editor/Mixer | Glendale, CA | 12/08/2023 | $57,900 |
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