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Sound truck operator vs audio engineer

The differences between sound truck operators and 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 truck operator and an audio engineer. Additionally, a sound truck operator has an average salary of $68,676, which is higher than the $55,853 average annual salary of an audio engineer.

The top three skills for a sound truck operator include audio equipment, sound effects and sound board. The most important skills for an audio engineer are video production, audio systems, and audio visual.

Sound truck operator vs audio engineer overview

Sound Truck OperatorAudio Engineer
Yearly salary$68,676$55,853
Hourly rate$33.02$26.85
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs72,3721,750
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound truck operator vs audio engineer salary

Sound truck operators and audio engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound Truck OperatorAudio Engineer
Average salary$68,676$55,853
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $103,000Between $30,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City-Novato, CA
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound truck operator and audio engineer education

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

Sound Truck OperatorAudio Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPhotographyMusic
Most common collegeStanford UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Sound truck operator vs audio engineer demographics

Here are the differences between sound truck operators' and audio engineers' demographics:

Sound Truck OperatorAudio Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 68.9% Female, 31.1%Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound truck operator and audio engineer duties and responsibilities

Sound truck operator example responsibilities.

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

Audio engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Manage troubleshooting of videoconferencing and networking equipment.
  • Freelance engineer for sound reinforcement, broadcast audio, teleconferencing, and truck A1.
  • Serve as audio engineer, sound board operator, and backstage audio technician (A2).
  • Stabilize IFB communication systems for talent/clientele and production teams.
  • Prepare audio, amps, and cords.
  • Show more

Sound truck operator vs audio engineer skills

Common sound truck operator skills
  • Audio Equipment, 53%
  • Sound Effects, 25%
  • Sound Board, 22%
Common audio engineer skills
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Audio Systems, 7%
  • Audio Visual, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Video Conferencing, 4%

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