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Sound mixer vs sound assistant

The differences between sound mixers and sound assistants 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 mixer and a sound assistant. Additionally, a sound assistant has an average salary of $67,356, which is higher than the $37,059 average annual salary of a sound mixer.

The top three skills for a sound mixer include sound design, pro tools and documentaries. The most important skills for a sound assistant are sound effects, pro tools, and audio equipment.

Sound mixer vs sound assistant overview

Sound MixerSound Assistant
Yearly salary$37,059$67,356
Hourly rate$17.82$32.38
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs1,182239
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound mixer vs sound assistant salary

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

Sound MixerSound Assistant
Average salary$37,059$67,356
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $55,000Between $39,000 And $114,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound mixer and sound assistant education

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

Sound MixerSound Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonStanford University

Sound mixer vs sound assistant demographics

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

Sound MixerSound Assistant
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.1% Female, 12.9%Male, 70.2% Female, 29.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound mixer and sound assistant duties and responsibilities

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 assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administrate sound management system utilizing analog & digital consoles in a smaller environment.
  • Initiate multimedia using LCD projectors & PowerPoint

Sound mixer vs sound assistant skills

Common sound mixer skills
  • Sound Design, 22%
  • Pro Tools, 15%
  • Documentaries, 14%
  • ADR, 10%
  • Sound Equipment, 9%
  • SFX, 8%
Common sound assistant skills
  • Sound Effects, 24%
  • Pro Tools, 21%
  • Audio Equipment, 11%
  • Sound Systems, 11%
  • FOH, 10%
  • Live Sound, 7%

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