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Sound technician vs assistant audio engineer

The differences between sound technicians and assistant audio engineers 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 technician and an assistant audio engineer. Additionally, an assistant audio engineer has an average salary of $69,049, which is higher than the $43,270 average annual salary of a sound technician.

The top three skills for a sound technician include sound equipment, wireless microphones and audio equipment. The most important skills for an assistant audio engineer are video production, audio equipment, and visual equipment.

Sound technician vs assistant audio engineer overview

Sound TechnicianAssistant Audio Engineer
Yearly salary$43,270$69,049
Hourly rate$20.80$33.20
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs6,6211,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound technician vs assistant audio engineer salary

Sound technicians and assistant audio engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound TechnicianAssistant Audio Engineer
Average salary$43,270$69,049
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $73,000Between $38,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound technician and assistant audio engineer education

There are a few differences between a sound technician and an assistant audio engineer in terms of educational background:

Sound TechnicianAssistant Audio Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeNew York UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Sound technician vs assistant audio engineer demographics

Here are the differences between sound technicians' and assistant audio engineers' demographics:

Sound TechnicianAssistant Audio Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 82.9% Female, 17.1%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound technician and assistant audio engineer duties and responsibilities

Sound technician example 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.
  • Show more

Assistant audio engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Master every facet of the SSL 4064E analog console and Tascam inch tape machine.
  • Record and edit various voice-overs, audio books, and ADR for film and TV.
  • Assist head engineer with recording, mixing, EQ's, compressors, and gear setup.
  • Operate various digital and analog audio consoles during musical performances to create optimal experience for listener and musicians.
  • Retain several local and national commercial clients while primarily engineering and producing music CDs.

Sound technician vs assistant audio engineer skills

Common sound technician skills
  • Sound Equipment, 16%
  • Wireless Microphones, 13%
  • Audio Equipment, 13%
  • Technical Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
  • Live Productions, 4%
Common assistant audio engineer skills
  • Video Production, 19%
  • Audio Equipment, 7%
  • Visual Equipment, 7%
  • Analog, 6%
  • Signal Flow, 5%
  • Sound Design, 5%

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