How to hire a sound technician

How to hire a sound technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sound technician 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 technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sound technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a sound technician, 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a sound technician to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a sound technician that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of sound technicians.

   Type of Sound Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Sound Technician	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$12-35
   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:

   • Sound Equipment
   • Wireless Microphones
   • Audio Equipment
   • Technical Equipment
   • Live Sound
   • Live Productions
   • Video
   • Sound Systems
   • Equipment Set-Up
   • Sound Reinforcement
   • Sound Recordings
   • Sound Checks
   • Troubleshoot
   • Sound Effects

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create new costumes, props and scenery.
   • Coordinate costumes for various roles and scenes.
   • Set up all audio and dj equipment for schedule events.
   • Create weekly PowerPoint presentations for Sunday services as well as other events as they occur.
   • Operate FOH for various live events including music concerts, comedians, presentations, and speeches.
   • Work as the projectionist in several shows and run computer programs for show monitors on stage.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your sound technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A sound technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, sound technicians' average salary in vermont is 58% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level sound technicians earn 66% less than senior-level sound technicians.
   • Certifications. A sound technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a sound technician's salary.

   Average sound technician salary

   $43,270yearly

   $20.80 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level sound technician salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a sound technician job description

   A sound technician 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. Below, you can find an example of a sound technician job description:

   Sound technician job description example

   At Tech Electronics, we pride ourselves on bringing a unique family atmosphere to an ever-evolving technology marketplace. We recognize that our people made us special when we opened our doors nearly 60 years ago, and they continue to do so today.

   We prioritize giving motivated individuals opportunities to find their gifts, develop their talents, and live their lives to the fullest. If you're looking for a job that's more than just a job, our Tech family is waiting for you!

   What's in it for you?

   • Union Opportunities/Benefits with IBEW
   • EXCELLENT WAGES
   • Company credit card, cellphone, laptop, gas card
   • Paid Time Off & Accrued Personal Time
   • Tuition Reimbursement
   • Generous Holiday Schedule - 8 days annually
   • Immense Growth Opportunities
   • Relaxed Family Culture

   What you'll do as a Pro AV/Sound Technician

   • Performs installation and moves, adds and changes for Tech Electronics' ProSound, Audio Visual and Control systems at the customer or project site Processes any credits to be issued to the customer
   • Escalates safety issues, system performance issues and/or customer issues to the ProSound/AV/Control Project Manager to ensure proper resolution of issues
   • Responsible for overseeing the entire installation and/or service repair process of Tech Electronics systems at the project or customer site
   • Assists ProSound/AV/Control Systems Designer/Engineer when additional design or programming support is needed
   • Maintains a detailed understanding of all local and national codes and ensures system installations adhere to applicable codes
   • Generate sales while on service & is responsible for suggesting methods to improve operations, processes, efficiency, and service to both internal and external customers

   What you need as a Pro AV/Sound Technician

   • Associate degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience
   • Working knowledge of the National Electric Code and the BOCA National Building Codes
   • CTS certification is required
   • Control Systems programming required
   • DSP programming required
   • Covid-19 Vaccination is required
   • Must be able to work at 25 ft high if necessary
   • Valid state Driver's License

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find sound technicians 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 technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sound technicians 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 technician job on Zippia to find and recruit sound technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting sound technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 technician

   Once you've found the sound technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new sound technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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