Sound Engineering Technician salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Sound Engineering Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $79,990 a year ($38.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,180 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $73,130. Pay here is 25% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $106,630. There are 0.08 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| 25th percentile | $71,030 | $34.15 |
| Median | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| 75th percentile | $106,630 | $51.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,180 | $61.14 |
| Average (mean) | $90,620 | $43.57 |
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 | $6,665.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,332.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.54 |
| Weekly | $1,538.27 |
| Hourly | $38.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,890 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $54,200 | 120 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Photographer | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Film and Video Editors | $91,750 | $44.11 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Lighting Technician | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $79,990 a year, or $38.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $127,180 a year. The top 25% earn $106,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,490 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $71,030 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 240 sound engineering technicians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.