Sound Engineering Technician salary in Tennessee
Sound Engineering Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $60,500 a year ($29.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,160 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $73,130. Tennessee ranks 21st of 35 states for sound engineering technicians pay. There are 0.15 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| 25th percentile | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Median | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| 75th percentile | $106,310 | $51.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| Average (mean) | $81,800 | $39.33 |
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 | $5,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,520.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,326.92 |
| Weekly | $1,163.46 |
| Hourly | $29.09 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $71,180 | 320 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,050 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,200 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Photographer | $37,950 | $18.25 |
| Film and Video Editors | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in Tennessee is $60,500 a year, or $29.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in Tennessee earn at least $158,160 a year. The top 25% earn $106,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,230 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $46,200 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Tennessee?
About 510 sound engineering technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.