Post job

Sound engineer vs sound editor

The differences between sound engineers and sound editors 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 engineer and a sound editor. Additionally, a sound engineer has an average salary of $52,197, which is higher than the $48,306 average annual salary of a sound editor.

The top three skills for a sound engineer include audio equipment, venues and A/V. The most important skills for a sound editor are ADR, video games, and SFX.

Sound engineer vs sound editor overview

Sound EngineerSound Editor
Yearly salary$52,197$48,306
Hourly rate$25.09$23.22
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs6,9234,603
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound engineer vs sound editor salary

Sound engineers and sound editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound EngineerSound Editor
Average salary$52,197$48,306
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $95,000Between $20,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PACalabasas, CA
Highest paying stateOregonCalifornia
Best paying companyTechtronic Industries TTIThomson Reuters
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between sound engineer and sound editor education

There are a few differences between a sound engineer and a sound editor in terms of educational background:

Sound EngineerSound Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityNew York University

Sound engineer vs sound editor demographics

Here are the differences between sound engineers' and sound editors' demographics:

Sound EngineerSound Editor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound engineer and sound editor duties and responsibilities

Sound engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Work for local contractor designing spreader bars for crane rigging using AutoCAD.
  • Provide equipment and engineering services for performers, musicians, bands, and DJ's.
  • Mix all live services FOH and maintain all audio, broadcasting and media system as well.
  • Experience tuning, calculating EQ settings, as well as appropriate delay times within an automobile.
  • Master multiple projects albums by working on song levels plus EQ and correct minor mix deficiencies with equalization.
  • Show more

Sound editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage international man-made fiber market research/publishing company and supervise editorial content and sales of industry statistical journal.
  • Add in sound effects, music, and ADR as needed.
  • Gain experience in assisting with analog soundboard and stage lighting.
  • Mix vocals and music from a DJ for a fashion presentation, (volunteer only )
  • Review submitted manuscripts, brainstorm & implement promotional strategies, track community involvement, and plan literary events with the editor-in-chief.
  • Deliver exported versions for Facebook and Instagram.

Sound engineer vs sound editor skills

Common sound engineer skills
  • Audio Equipment, 15%
  • Venues, 11%
  • A/V, 10%
  • Technical Aspects, 8%
  • Live Sound, 5%
  • Stage Equipment, 4%
Common sound editor skills
  • ADR, 15%
  • Video Games, 15%
  • SFX, 14%
  • Pro Tools, 10%
  • Feature Film, 7%
  • Adobe Premiere, 6%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs