Best cities for a sound designer
The best cities for sound designers are Raleigh, NC, Columbus, OH, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for sound designers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for sound designers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a sound designer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for sound designers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for sound designers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a sound designer. While the absolute best city for sound designers is Raleigh, NC, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for sound designers in 2024.
If you're looking for a sound designer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for sound designers in 2026
1. Raleigh, NC
Total sound designer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $87,035 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 0.86 2. Columbus, OH
Total sound designer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $80,909 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 0.50 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total sound designer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $88,869 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 0.36 4. Durham, NC
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $87,118 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Cleveland, OH
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $83,035 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Greensboro, NC
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $85,841 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Philadelphia, PA
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,888 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Pittsburgh, PA
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $91,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Glendale, AZ
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $88,948 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Scottsdale, AZ
Total sound designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $88,722 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for sound designers
- Raleigh, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Phoenix, AZ
- Durham, NC
- Cleveland, OH
- Greensboro, NC
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Glendale, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a sound designer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh, NC | $87,035 | $45,000 | 458,880 | 1 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $80,909 | $40,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $88,869 | $45,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $87,118 | $45,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $83,035 | $42,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 6 | Greensboro, NC | $85,841 | $44,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $95,888 | $52,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $91,309 | $47,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 9 | Glendale, AZ | $88,948 | $45,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | $88,722 | $45,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 11 | Winston-Salem, NC | $85,049 | $44,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $80,333 | $40,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 13 | Chandler, AZ | $88,194 | $45,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $88,140 | $44,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 15 | Gilbert, AZ | $88,087 | $44,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 16 | Tucson, AZ | $86,871 | $44,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $91,007 | $45,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 18 | Virginia Beach, VA | $92,537 | $49,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 19 | Sacramento, CA | $94,773 | $48,000 | 495,234 | 1 |
| 20 | Charlotte, NC | $81,501 | $42,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 21 | Detroit, MI | $79,025 | $40,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 22 | Cincinnati, OH | $77,243 | $38,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 23 | Norfolk, VA | $92,407 | $49,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 24 | Chesapeake, VA | $92,072 | $49,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 25 | Irvine, CA | $88,100 | $46,000 | 266,122 | 4 |
| 26 | Oakland, CA | $95,322 | $49,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 27 | Fremont, CA | $95,142 | $49,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 28 | Lexington, KY | $75,010 | $38,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 29 | Oklahoma City, OK | $71,323 | $35,000 | 638,367 | 1 |
| 30 | San Jose, CA | $95,055 | $49,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 31 | San Francisco, CA | $95,458 | $50,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 32 | Stockton, CA | $94,722 | $49,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 33 | Fort Wayne, IN | $72,935 | $36,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 34 | Los Angeles, CA | $89,288 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 35 | Jersey City, NJ | $85,260 | $46,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 36 | New Orleans, LA | $76,032 | $40,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 37 | Louisville, KY | $72,551 | $36,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 38 | Indianapolis, IN | $69,786 | $35,000 | 855,164 | 1 |
| 39 | Newark, NJ | $85,200 | $46,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 40 | Fresno, CA | $93,638 | $48,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 41 | San Diego, CA | $85,271 | $44,000 | 1,406,630 | 6 |
| 42 | Atlanta, GA | $71,993 | $37,000 | 472,522 | 5 |
| 43 | Bakersfield, CA | $91,766 | $47,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 44 | Tampa, FL | $76,765 | $42,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 45 | Long Beach, CA | $88,638 | $46,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 46 | Orlando, FL | $76,709 | $42,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 47 | Jacksonville, FL | $76,663 | $41,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 48 | Madison, WI | $65,892 | $33,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $88,528 | $46,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 50 | Santa Ana, CA | $88,314 | $46,000 | 334,217 | - |
Highest paying cities for sound designers
| Rank | City | Avg. sound designer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novato, CA | $95,522 |
| 2 | Springfield, VA | $94,035 |
| 3 | Gainesville, FL | $77,739 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $76,604 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $74,424 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $71,993 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $69,629 |
| 8 | Madison, WI | $65,892 |
| 9 | Bethesda, MD | $49,700 |
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Updated January 8, 2025