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Sound designer vs sound mixer

The differences between sound designers and sound mixers 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 designer and a sound mixer. Additionally, a sound designer has an average salary of $71,949, which is higher than the $37,059 average annual salary of a sound mixer.

The top three skills for a sound designer include audio assets, pro tools and wwise. The most important skills for a sound mixer are sound design, pro tools, and documentaries.

Sound designer vs sound mixer overview

Sound DesignerSound Mixer
Yearly salary$71,949$37,059
Hourly rate$34.59$17.82
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs50,2351,182
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound designer vs sound mixer salary

Sound designers and sound mixers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound DesignerSound Mixer
Average salary$71,949$37,059
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $120,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CA-
Highest paying statePennsylvania-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between sound designer and sound mixer education

There are a few differences between a sound designer and a sound mixer in terms of educational background:

Sound DesignerSound Mixer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Sound designer vs sound mixer demographics

Here are the differences between sound designers' and sound mixers' demographics:

Sound DesignerSound Mixer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.0% Female, 14.0%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound designer and sound mixer duties and responsibilities

Sound designer example 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.
  • Show more

Sound mixer example responsibilities.

  • Produce by BBC and PBS; shown nationally.
  • Sound recordist for independent film, radio, and television productions.
  • Record ADR and foley where require.
  • Mix feature length documentaries in both English and Spanish.
  • Edit and add SFX to prep shows for mix.
  • Assist in setting up various film equipment as needed.
  • Show more

Sound designer vs sound mixer skills

Common sound designer skills
  • Audio Assets, 24%
  • Pro Tools, 10%
  • Wwise, 6%
  • Video Games, 5%
  • PC, 4%
  • Audio Production, 4%
Common sound mixer skills
  • Sound Design, 22%
  • Pro Tools, 15%
  • Documentaries, 14%
  • ADR, 10%
  • Sound Equipment, 9%
  • SFX, 8%

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