How to hire a sound designer

How to hire a sound designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sound designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a sound designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sound designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a sound designer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a sound designer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A sound designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sound designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of sound designers.

   Type of Sound Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Sound Designer	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$20-57
   Audio Engineer	An audio engineer is a trained professional who specializes in working with the mechanics of recording, mixing, and reproducing sound. Audio engineers work with clients such as record producers, musicians, and artists to record the sound they are making and manipulate the equalizer, the compression, and the gates when mixing... Show more	$14-49
   Sound Engineer	Sound engineers are audio engineering professionals who are responsible for performing audio mixes and reproduction while manipulating the equalization and electronic effects of sound. These engineers must design and control the sound at different locations such as theaters, conferences, and any other venue that requires sound projection... Show more	$13-45

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Audio Assets
   • Pro Tools
   • Wwise
   • Video Games
   • PC
   • Audio Production
   • SFX
   • ADR
   • Digital Audio
   • VR
   • Wireless Microphones
   • Sound Equipment
   • Fmod
   • Mac

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
   • Record live performances to multitrack DAW.
   • Implement audio using FMOD, Maya and proprietary tools.
   • Edit and master pre-record shows and audio clips and prepare for play on air.
   • Supervise load in and load outs and sound checks and run FOH day of event.
   • Set up, run and break down live shows.

   More sound designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the sound designer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A sound designer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a sound designer in Connecticut may be lower than in Pennsylvania, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level sound designer. Additionally, a sound designer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average sound designer salary

   $71,949yearly

   $34.59 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level sound designer salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 12, 2026

   Average sound designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$95,522	$46
   2	Virginia	$94,035	$45
   3	Florida	$77,739	$37
   4	Washington	$76,604	$37
   5	New York	$74,424	$36
   6	Georgia	$71,993	$35
   7	Texas	$69,629	$33
   8	Wisconsin	$65,892	$32
   9	Maryland	$49,700	$24

   Average sound designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$149,966	$72.10	155
   2	Microsoft	$134,785	$64.80	43
   3	Sony Interactive Entertainment America	$94,882	$45.62
   4	SANS Institute	$92,371	$44.41
   5	Accenture	$89,068	$42.82	250
   6	2k	$87,675	$42.15	4
   7	Naughty Dog	$84,220	$40.49	3
   8	ZeniMax Media	$83,819	$40.30	3
   9	Riot Games	$83,673	$40.23	5
   10	Activision Blizzard	$81,586	$39.22	10
   11	Tencent	$79,507	$38.22	3
   12	Valve	$79,376	$38.16	4
   13	Zoox	$74,502	$35.82	5
   14	Within	$74,237	$35.69
   15	Crystal Equation	$63,027	$30.30	4
   16	Sdsu Foundation	$60,969	$29.31	1
   17	Rooster Teeth	$59,553	$28.63
   18	Randstad North America, Inc.	$47,014	$22.60	1
   19	Middle East Broadcasting Network	$35,168	$16.91	1

4. Writing a sound designer job description

   A sound designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a sound designer job description:

   Sound designer job description example

   For over 30 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Our most recent game, The Last of Us Part II, has received over 300 Game of the Year awards and three of our games are among the top 10 highest scored games on the PlayStation 4. As a part of the Naughty Dog legacy, you'll be continuing the development of extraordinary and enduring experiences for a broad, global range of audiences.
   
   As the ideal candidate for this position, you are a seasoned veteran in your medium (film, TV, ads, games) and have played a critical role in the completion of at least one major project from beginning to end. You are an expert in your craft and are comfortable moving in and out of different creative aesthetics. In this highly collaborative team-centric role, you will work closely with other members of the studio across a wide variety of disciplines.
   
   Naughty Dog has high standards for our audio quality. You will meet and surpass them to push the boundaries of interactive audio experiences in our games.
   
   Please provide links, both to any relevant work history (website, IMDB, etc.) as well as a demo reel showcasing previous work. A test will be required of select candidates.
   
   While we highly value candidates with strong music backgrounds, there will be no music composition involved in this role, nor the opportunity for such. This position is purely for crafting in-game sound effects.
   
   This role requires the candidate to be in the studio for a training period of several weeks, after which a hybrid work model is available. This role does not support a full-time remote workflow at this time.
   Responsibilities: Record, edit, and build/design sound effects using industry standard methods and tools Implement sound effects into the game using proprietary methods and tools Collaborate with the audio team to adequately plan and implement upon aesthetic goals of the project Collaborate with audio programmers and other sound designers to develop audio systems based on creative vision and gameplay needs Collaborate with other non-audio teams (designers, animators, background artists, programmers, etc.) to achieve the highest quality audio experience across each aspect of the game Apply studio and departmental standard processes of technical audio workflows and systems Give and seek constructive creative feedback and suggestions from others Inspire partnership and collaboration inside and outside the Audio Dept. Requirements & Skills: Minimum 5+ years in a game audio or audio post-production environment Shipped at least 1 AAA title, or worked on equivalent sized linear media project (Film, TV, Ads, etc.) Proficient in a DAW of choice (Reaper, Cubase, Pro Tools, Ableton, etc.), including most industry standard plugins and toolsets (Waves, iZotope, etc.) Extensive knowledge and experience with using outboard gear, recording gear, microphones, etc. Extensive knowledge of audio signal processing, mixing, sample rates, data compression, filters, reverbs, 3D positional audio, etc. Knowledge of mix specifications in a variety of media (console, internet, broadcast, etc.) Excellent PC/Mac skills and proficiency with word-processing, spreadsheet, and database applications Strong communication skills, both spoken and written, in both aesthetic and technical concepts Highly value and prioritize working as a team, over individualistic goals, or desires Hunger to learn tailored tools and tech Excellent work ethic and a positive attitude Bonus Skills: Bachelor's degree or higher in audio-related field (i.e., music, audio engineering, sound design, etc.) Skills in scripting and/or programming languages (Python, C++, etc.) Previous experience with version control software (Perforce, Git, etc.) Expert with audio middleware solutions such as Wwise, FMOD, Scream, or proprietary tools. Professional post-production sound design/mixing experience (Film, TV, Ads, etc.), with an emphasis on multi-channel environments (e.g., Surround or Atmos) Music skill/experience in composing/arranging, synthesis, sampling, MIDI sequencing, etc. Knowledge of music theory Understanding of next gen console audio functionality and capabilities Experience implementing sounds on multiple game platforms Experience with multiplayer games Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and gender reassignment), race (including color, nationality, ethnic, national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. #LI-KH1

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find sound designers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any sound designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sound designers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sound designer job on Zippia to find and recruit sound designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit sound designers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sound designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect sound designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a sound designer?