Best cities for a sound engineer
The best cities for sound engineers are Philadelphia, PA, Columbus, OH, and Portland, OR, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for sound engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for sound engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a sound engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for sound engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for sound engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a sound engineer. While the absolute best city for sound engineers is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for sound engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a sound engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for sound engineers in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total sound engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $73,201 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 3.15 2. Columbus, OH
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $56,861 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Portland, OR
Total sound engineer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $81,342 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 2.24 4. Seattle, WA
Total sound engineer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $69,089 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 3.61 5. Greensboro, NC
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $56,175 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Pittsburgh, PA
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,450 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Toledo, OH
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $58,551 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Anchorage, AK
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,694 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Detroit, MI
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $58,531 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $111,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Phoenix, AZ
Total sound engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,803 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $111,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for sound engineers
- Philadelphia, PA
- Columbus, OH
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
- Greensboro, NC
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Toledo, OH
- Anchorage, AK
- Detroit, MI
- Phoenix, AZ
- (2 sound engineer jobs)
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- (4 sound engineer jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a sound engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $73,201 | $38,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $56,861 | $29,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $81,342 | $41,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $69,089 | $35,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 5 | Greensboro, NC | $56,175 | $29,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, PA | $67,450 | $34,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $58,551 | $30,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 8 | Anchorage, AK | $78,694 | $44,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $58,531 | $30,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $57,803 | $29,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 11 | Cleveland, OH | $61,453 | $31,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $57,698 | $29,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 13 | Virginia Beach, VA | $67,802 | $34,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 14 | Norfolk, VA | $67,445 | $34,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 15 | Chesapeake, VA | $66,879 | $33,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 16 | Winston-Salem, NC | $55,305 | $29,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 17 | Durham, NC | $57,876 | $30,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $57,425 | $29,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $69,501 | $33,000 | 870,887 | 4 |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $57,773 | $30,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 21 | Mesa, AZ | $57,400 | $29,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 22 | Gilbert, AZ | $57,366 | $29,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 23 | Miami, FL | $54,413 | $29,000 | 453,579 | 5 |
| 24 | Lexington, KY | $49,477 | $26,000 | 318,449 | 3 |
| 25 | Jersey City, NJ | $65,180 | $34,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 26 | Newark, NJ | $65,101 | $34,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 27 | Glendale, AZ | $57,858 | $30,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 28 | Tucson, AZ | $56,751 | $29,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 29 | Saint Paul, MN | $52,397 | $29,000 | 302,398 | 4 |
| 30 | Sacramento, CA | $69,354 | $33,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 31 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $54,737 | $29,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 32 | Oakland, CA | $69,168 | $33,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 33 | Tampa, FL | $54,674 | $29,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 34 | New Orleans, LA | $51,730 | $27,000 | 391,495 | 1 |
| 35 | Hialeah, FL | $54,425 | $29,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH | $51,942 | $27,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 37 | Fremont, CA | $68,246 | $33,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 38 | San Jose, CA | $67,568 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 39 | Stockton, CA | $68,195 | $33,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 40 | Orlando, FL | $54,135 | $29,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 41 | Fort Wayne, IN | $51,825 | $27,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 42 | Charlotte, NC | $52,208 | $27,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 43 | New York, NY | $60,039 | $31,000 | 8,537,673 | 31 |
| 44 | Milwaukee, WI | $50,570 | $27,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 45 | Buffalo, NY | $53,826 | $29,000 | 256,902 | 2 |
| 46 | Minneapolis, MN | $52,255 | $29,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 47 | Louisville, KY | $47,943 | $25,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 48 | Islip, NY | $60,240 | $32,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 49 | Hempstead, NY | $60,208 | $32,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 50 | Brookhaven, NY | $60,082 | $32,000 | 486,040 | - |
Highest paying cities for sound engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. sound engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $73,201 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $69,501 |
| 3 | Mount Laurel, NJ | $65,179 |
| 4 | Greenville, NC | $60,462 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $60,039 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $58,531 |
| 7 | Doral, FL | $54,432 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $51,942 |
| 9 | New Orleans, LA | $51,730 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $49,728 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $48,264 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $46,922 |
| 13 | Towson, MD | $37,545 |
| 14 | Boston, MA | $35,661 |
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Updated January 8, 2025