Sound Engineering Technician salary in Illinois
Sound Engineering Technicians in Illinois earn a median of $73,130 a year ($35.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,460 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $73,130. Illinois ranks 9th of 35 states for sound engineering technicians pay. There are 0.09 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,840, close to the median.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Median | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| 75th percentile | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,460 | $54.55 |
| Average (mean) | $69,840 | $33.58 |
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 | $6,094.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,047.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,812.69 |
| Weekly | $1,406.35 |
| Hourly | $35.16 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $73,140 | 450 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,750 | 140 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Photographer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Broadcast Technician | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Film and Video Editors | $72,460 | $34.84 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in Illinois is $73,130 a year, or $35.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Illinois?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in Illinois earn at least $113,460 a year. The top 25% earn $99,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $40,460 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Illinois?
About 570 sound engineering technicians are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.