Sound Engineering Technician salary in California
Sound Engineering Technicians in California earn a median of $78,150 a year ($37.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,130 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $73,130. California ranks 6th of 35 states for sound engineering technicians pay. There are 0.22 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| 25th percentile | $53,150 | $25.55 |
| Median | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| 75th percentile | $100,910 | $48.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,130 | $68.81 |
| Average (mean) | $87,550 | $42.09 |
Half of sound engineering technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,512.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,256.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,005.77 |
| Weekly | $1,502.88 |
| Hourly | $37.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sound Engineering Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $94,990 | 460 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,850 | 2,820 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $63,720 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,020 | 140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,670 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for sound engineering technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $115,190 |
| District of Columbia | $106,630 |
| New York | $87,510 |
| Nevada | $84,570 |
| Maryland | $79,990 |
| California | $78,150 |
| Georgia | $77,010 |
| Kentucky | $74,100 |
| Illinois | $73,130 |
| Indiana | $73,130 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4014. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sound engineering technician make in California?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in California is $78,150 a year, or $37.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in California?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in California earn at least $143,130 a year. The top 25% earn $100,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,720 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $53,150 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in California?
About 4,060 sound engineering technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.