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Sound assistant vs play back operator

The differences between sound assistants and play back operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sound assistant and a play back operator. Additionally, a sound assistant has an average salary of $67,356, which is higher than the $43,574 average annual salary of a play back operator.

The top three skills for a sound assistant include sound effects, pro tools and audio equipment. The most important skills for a play back operator are control room, , and .

Sound assistant vs play back operator overview

Sound AssistantPlay Back Operator
Yearly salary$67,356$43,574
Hourly rate$32.38$20.95
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs23927,895
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound assistant vs play back operator salary

Sound assistants and play back operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound AssistantPlay Back Operator
Average salary$67,356$43,574
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $114,000Between $30,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound assistant and play back operator education

There are a few differences between a sound assistant and a play back operator in terms of educational background:

Sound AssistantPlay Back Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPhotographyBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNew York University

Sound assistant vs play back operator demographics

Here are the differences between sound assistants' and play back operators' demographics:

Sound AssistantPlay Back Operator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 70.2% Female, 29.8%Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound assistant and play back operator duties and responsibilities

Sound assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administrate sound management system utilizing analog & digital consoles in a smaller environment.
  • Initiate multimedia using LCD projectors & PowerPoint

Play back operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and update show's Facebook page and website with strategically tailor content aim at growing audience base.
  • Conduct routine operating inspections of the unit, troubleshoot operational problems and respond to area emergencies or to changing operational situations.
  • Solicit previous ADT callers and transfer to sales representative.
  • Interact with the Flexo department to resolve any issues relate to machine performance.

Sound assistant vs play back operator skills

Common sound assistant skills
  • Sound Effects, 24%
  • Pro Tools, 21%
  • Audio Equipment, 11%
  • Sound Systems, 11%
  • FOH, 10%
  • Live Sound, 7%
Common play back operator skills
  • Control Room, 100%

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