Sound Engineering Technician salary in Virginia
Sound Engineering Technicians in Virginia earn a median of $49,920 a year ($24.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,240 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $73,130. Virginia ranks 28th of 35 states for sound engineering technicians pay. There are 0.03 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $66,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,910 | $12.94 |
| 25th percentile | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Median | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 75th percentile | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,240 | $50.60 |
| Average (mean) | $66,070 | $31.77 |
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 | $4,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,920 |
| Weekly | $960 |
| Hourly | $24.00 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,990 | 240 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Broadcast Technician | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in Virginia is $49,920 a year, or $24.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Virginia?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in Virginia earn at least $105,240 a year. The top 25% earn $80,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,910 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $41,930 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Virginia?
About 120 sound engineering technicians are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.