Professional sound engineers are responsible for operating and maintaining sound recording or broadcast equipment. They may work with musical artists, movie directors, television news stations and radio stations. The goal of this profession is to ensure that any recording or broadcast has high-quality, crystal-clear sound.

Sound engineering is a highly technical job. Audio engineers may be required to travel to different locations to perform on-site sound engineering tasks. Flexibility and adaptability are key in this profession because sound engineers may have to work with music, spoken dialogue and other forms of audio input.

Duties

• Set up, maintain, operate and repair audio recording/broadcast equipment
• Choose appropriate audio equipment to use for various situations
• Coordinate with directors, editors, video operators and other sound engineers
• Stay informed of new developments in sound engineering
• Plan and schedule work in an efficient and effective manner

Pay in this field is strongly affected by the industry in which a sound engineer works. For example, sound engineers working in the motion picture industry tend to earn a higher salary than sound engineers who work in radio and television broadcasting. Sound engineers who obtain additional voluntary certifications may be able to earn higher salaries.

Many sound engineers work full-time in television or radio stations, recording studios or live music venues. Sound engineers can find jobs in both urban and rural areas because virtually all recording and broadcast services require sound engineering.