Studying Audio Engineering In The USA
With the growing role of technology in the world, and even more so with the expansion of technology in the entertainment industry, there have been a great number of new jobs created. And among those job openings is that of an audio engineer. The article details how to prepare for this career, what it takes to get hired, and also looks at some of the salary prospects for your future.
What is an audio engineer?
Audio engineers design, engineer, and test audio devices, such as microphones, speakers, sound reinforcement systems and audio software. They also may work with music producers or audio technicians in the recording studio to create or improve audio recordings. Aspiring audio engineers should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, along with experience in digital audio editing and programming. Audio engineering salaries vary based on experience and the location of the job, but the median annual salary is $87,060. Audio engineering career growth is projected to be very strong through 2020 due to increasing demand for new audio technology and services.
Studying audio engineering in the USA
In the United States, audio engineering is a respected and lucrative profession. The Association for Professional Audio (APA) reports that the average annual salary for audio engineers was $97,220 in 2016. This figure has been steadily increasing over the past several years, as audio engineering has become more in demand.
Audio engineering is a highly versatile and sought-after profession, with many job opportunities available across a range of industries. According to Indeed, the largest number of audio engineer job postings are in the software development (28%), marketing and advertising services (22%), and technology companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook (21%).
If you are interested in studying audio engineering in the United States, keep this in mind:
There are many accredited audio engineering schools across the country. APA provides a comprehensive list of accredited audio engineering colleges and universities. You can also use online resources such as CNET’s College Guide or The Daily Review’s List of colleges with music programs to find an accredited school that meets your specific needs.
Salaries of audio engineers
Audio engineers in the United States typically earn a median annual salary of $102,060. The highest earners can make up to $158,490, while the lowest earners can make just over $63,030. Audio engineering is one of the fastest-growing occupations, with projected job growth of 11% between 2016 and 2026. That means that there are plenty of opportunities for audio engineers in the U.S., regardless of where you are located.
Salaries and pay for different work positions
Audio engineering salaries in the U.S. vary significantly depending on the position, experience, and location. In general, salaries for audio engineers range from $50,000 to more than $200,000 per year. The following are average salaries for different positions in audio engineering:
- Audio engineer: $83,000
- Music producer: $78,000
- Recording engineer: $62,500
- Mixing engineer: $87,000
- Mastering engineer: $120,000
Career paths of an audio engineer
Audio engineering can have a wide range of career paths depending on experience, education, and specialization. With so many options available, it can be difficult to figure out which path is best for you.
Below we explore some of the most common career paths for audio engineers in the U.S., as well as salary data and job growth predictions.
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Salary: Audio engineering salaries vary greatly depending on experience and educational attainment, but the median annual salary is around $82,000. The highest paid employees typically work at larger studios or in high-profile positions. Job growth is expected to be strong over the next decade, with openings for audio engineers projected to grow by 21%.
Career Paths: Audio engineering can have a wide range of career paths depending on experience, education, and specialization. Below are three of the most common: recording engineer, music producer, and audio engineer.
Recording Engineer: A recording engineer works with musicians or other performers to create recordings. They may manage all aspects of a recording session, from setting up microphones and sound equipment to ensuring that the sound quality is optimal. Recording engineers typically have a degree in music composition.
Job growth statistics for audio engineering
Audio engineering is a growing field in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of audio and video engineers is projected to grow by 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The following are some key factors that are contributing to this growth:
-Increased demand for audio/video content-audio and video technology is becoming more ubiquitous, which is driving up demand for audio engineering services. For example, streaming services like Netflix increasingly rely on high-quality audio and video recordings.
-The emergence of virtual reality-increased interest in virtual reality has led to an increase in demand for audio engineers who can create immersive experiences for users.
-The growth of portable music players and devices-audio technology has also been advancing rapidly in portable music players and devices such as smartphones and tablets. This has led to increased demand for audio engineering services that can improve the sound quality of these devices.
Future scope of wages
Audio engineering salaries in the U.S. are projected to grow at a rate of 7% through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is well above the average growth rate for all occupations, which is estimated at 2.6%. In fact, audio engineering is one of only a few occupations expected to experience faster-than-average growth over the next decade.
This is good news for audio engineers looking to find a stable and lucrative career! Audio engineering wages are typically higher than those in other fields, and this trend is only expected to continue as demand increases for sound engineering services worldwide.
While the exact salary you can expect to make as an audio engineer will vary depending on your experience and qualifications, the BLS reports that median annual earnings for engineers with five or more years of experience range from $92,570 to $130,910. Considering that many audio engineers work full time, these figures represent excellent potential income potential.
Studying Audio Engineering In The USA