Job Description - Audio Engineer:
An audio engineer uses machinery and equipment to record, synchronize, mix or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects. He or she can work in the movie, music recording, theater or video game industries. Audio engineers may also be called sound engineering technicians, recording engineers or sound engineers.
Employment Facts - Audio Engineer:
There were 16,000 audio engineers employed in 2006.
Educational Requirements - Audio Engineer:
To become an audio engineer one can attend a vocational program that usually lasts about a year.
Other Requirements - Audio Engineer:
Audio engineers also gain much of their knowledge and skills through on-the-job training.
Advancement Opportunities - Audio Engineer:
With experience an audio engineer can move into a supervisory position.
Job Outlook - Audio Engineer:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this field will experience job growth that is about as fast as average for all occupations through 2016.
Earnings - Audio Engineer:
Median annual earnings of audio engineers were $46,550 in 2007.
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an audio engineer currently earns in your city.
A Day in an Audio Engineer's Life:
On a typical day an audio engineer's tasks may include:
- Conferring with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Setting up, testing and adjusting recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances; tearing down equipment after event completion.
- Regulating volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Preparing for recording sessions by performing activities such as selecting and setting up microphones.
- Mixing and editing voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
- Synchronizing and equalizing prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos109.htm (visited February 19, 2009).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Sound Engineering Technicians, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-4014.00 (visited February 19, 2009).
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