Sound Engineering Technician salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Sound Engineering Technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $94,990 a year ($45.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,640 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $73,130. Pay here is 22% higher than the California statewide median of $78,150. There are 0.20 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| 25th percentile | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Median | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| 75th percentile | $142,940 | $68.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,640 | $82.52 |
| Average (mean) | $108,850 | $52.33 |
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 | $7,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,957.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,653.46 |
| Weekly | $1,826.73 |
| Hourly | $45.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,990 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Sound Engineering Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| Photographer | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Film and Video Editors | $109,930 | $52.85 |
| Broadcast Technician | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $110,780 | $53.26 |
| Lighting Technician | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,500 | $47.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $54,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Art Director | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Editor | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| Interior Designer | $87,460 | $42.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $94,990 a year, or $45.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $171,640 a year. The top 25% earn $142,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,540 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $77,080 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 460 sound engineering technicians are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.