Sound Engineering Technician salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Sound Engineering Technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $63,020 a year ($30.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,400 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $73,130. Pay here is 19% lower than the California statewide median of $78,150. There are 0.09 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| 25th percentile | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Median | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| 75th percentile | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Average (mean) | $67,810 | $32.60 |
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 | $5,251.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,625.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,423.85 |
| Weekly | $1,211.92 |
| Hourly | $30.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sound Engineering Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Sound Engineering Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Photographer | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Film and Video Editors | $83,480 | $40.13 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Lighting Technician | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,230 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,240 | $39.06 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Producers and Directors | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Interior Designer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Editor | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Art Director | $126,050 | $60.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $63,020 a year, or $30.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $87,400 a year. The top 25% earn $76,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,850 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $50,690 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 140 sound engineering technicians are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.