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Sound technician vs sound editor

The differences between sound technicians 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 technician and a sound editor. Additionally, a sound editor has an average salary of $48,306, 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 a sound editor are ADR, video games, and SFX.

Sound technician vs sound editor overview

Sound TechnicianSound Editor
Yearly salary$43,270$48,306
Hourly rate$20.80$23.22
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs6,6214,603
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound technician vs sound editor salary

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

Sound TechnicianSound Editor
Average salary$43,270$48,306
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $73,000Between $20,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City-Calabasas, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Thomson Reuters
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between sound technician and sound editor education

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

Sound TechnicianSound Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Sound technician vs sound editor demographics

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

Sound TechnicianSound Editor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 82.9% Female, 17.1%Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1%
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, 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 technician and sound editor 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

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 technician vs sound editor skills

Common sound technician skills
  • Sound Equipment, 16%
  • Wireless Microphones, 13%
  • Audio Equipment, 13%
  • Technical Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
  • Live Productions, 4%
Common sound editor skills
  • ADR, 15%
  • Video Games, 15%
  • SFX, 14%
  • Pro Tools, 10%
  • Feature Film, 7%
  • Adobe Premiere, 6%

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