Sound Engineering Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Sound Engineering Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $73,140 a year ($35.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,730 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $73,130. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $73,130. There are 0.10 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,300, close to the median.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Median | $73,140 | $35.17 |
| 75th percentile | $90,780 | $43.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,730 | $59.97 |
| Average (mean) | $70,300 | $33.80 |
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 | $6,095 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,047.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,813.08 |
| Weekly | $1,406.54 |
| Hourly | $35.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sound Engineering Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $74,100 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,750 | 140 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $53,780 | n/a |
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 |
See Sound Engineering Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Photographer | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 | $46.19 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Lighting Technician | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $73,140 a year, or $35.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $124,730 a year. The top 25% earn $90,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $44,640 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 450 sound engineering technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.