What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Sound Engineering Technicians in the U.S. earn more than $73,130 a year — the middle 80% land between $37,570 and $137,370. About 13,080 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Sound Engineering Technicians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$73,130typical pay / year
13,080people in this work
$137,370+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record2
Record speech, music, and other sounds
+Record the vocal takes, guitar, and ambient room sounds for the session, set consistent mic placement and…
Record speech, music, and other sounds
+Record the vocal takes, guitar, and ambient room sounds for the session, set consistent mic placement and levels, log each good take with timecodes, and deliver the raw multitrack files to the producer before midnight Friday.
The tools that do the workApple macOSjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Keep logs of recordings.
+Update the studio session log with artist, songs tracked, take numbers, mic choices and positions, levels,…
Keep logs of recordings.
+Update the studio session log with artist, songs tracked, take numbers, mic choices and positions, levels, and timestamps after each session, then export and email the PDF summary to the producer and label by 18:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Fixing2
Assemble and operate sound equipment
+Assemble the monitoring rig and stage boxes, patch the console and outboard to the session signal flow, check…
Assemble and operate sound equipment
+Assemble the monitoring rig and stage boxes, patch the console and outboard to the session signal flow, check phase and headphone mixes, and hand the artist a safety briefing before the two‑hour tracking window starts at 10:00.
The tools that do the workApple macOSESCOjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Make routine repairs on equipment
+Inspect the mic stands, cable runs, and power supplies, replace the faulty DI and one broken XLR tonight,…
Make routine repairs on equipment
+Inspect the mic stands, cable runs, and power supplies, replace the faulty DI and one broken XLR tonight, test each repaired channel at line and instrument levels, and note parts used in the equipment log.
The tools that do the workApple macOSjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work16
Use personal protection equipment
+Put on the lab-certified ear protection, NIOSH-rated respirator, and anti-static wrist strap before touching…
Use personal protection equipment
+Put on the lab-certified ear protection, NIOSH-rated respirator, and anti-static wrist strap before touching any master tapes or digital converters, verify seals and fit with the safety checklist, then proceed to cue the session reels.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Before climbing the studio mezzanine to adjust the overhead monitors, inspect and lock the scaffold, attach…
Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Before climbing the studio mezzanine to adjust the overhead monitors, inspect and lock the scaffold, attach my harness to the anchor point, radio stagehand Tom about a five-minute window, and run the heights safety checklist aloud.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Operate an audio mixing console
+Set up the mixing console for the mastering session: label and patch inputs for left and right stems, trim…
Operate an audio mixing console
+Set up the mixing console for the mastering session: label and patch inputs for left and right stems, trim gains so meters peak at minus six, engage the mono check and reference chain, then save the scene as Master Session 01.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Keep up with trends
+Scan the last quarter's release notes, bandcamp playlists, and streaming loudness reports, flag three…
Keep up with trends
+Scan the last quarter's release notes, bandcamp playlists, and streaming loudness reports, flag three emerging mastering techniques and two trending reference tracks, then draft a one-page update for the studio newsletter.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Fit up sound on stage
+Before the overnight session, arrange the workspace to keep pathways clear, set the limiter thresholds…
Fit up sound on stage
+Before the overnight session, arrange the workspace to keep pathways clear, set the limiter thresholds conservatively, ensure the emergency exits are unobstructed, and tell engineer Sara I'll stop work at midnight if fatigue sets in.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Work with respect for own safety
+When pulling a double to finish masters, check my physical condition, refuse or reschedule if I'm beyond safe…
Work with respect for own safety
+When pulling a double to finish masters, check my physical condition, refuse or reschedule if I'm beyond safe alertness, log the decision in the studio duty sheet, and ask Nate to cover any loud work I cannot safely perform.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
+Set the console gain and reference level for today’s session, keep peaks under -6 dBFS, apply the vintage EQ…
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
+Set the console gain and reference level for today’s session, keep peaks under -6 dBFS, apply the vintage EQ preset to the vocal feed, watch the meters and tell the drummer to tame the hat if the LUFS hits target loudness.
The tools that do the workApple macOSO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Tear down equipment after event completion.
+Power down and label each snake, mic and outboard unit, bag up cables by stage position, return racks to the…
Tear down equipment after event completion.
+Power down and label each snake, mic and outboard unit, bag up cables by stage position, return racks to the flight case, photograph serial numbers, and send a short handover note to production before I leave.
The tools that do the workApple macOSO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.
+Program the synth patches for the commercial: build the bass, pad and lead tones, map velocity to filter…
Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.
+Program the synth patches for the commercial: build the bass, pad and lead tones, map velocity to filter cutoff, save each patch with the project name, and export the patch bank for the editor.
The tools that do the workApple macOSO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Convert video and audio records to digital formats
+Digitize the tape reels and camera cards, convert the files to 24-bit 48 kHz WAV and ProRes LT, verify…
Convert video and audio records to digital formats
+Digitize the tape reels and camera cards, convert the files to 24-bit 48 kHz WAV and ProRes LT, verify checksums, then copy the master files to the studio archive and tell Alex the files are ready.
The tools that do the workApple macOSjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Synchronize sounds and dialogue with action
+Line up the ADR and production audio, nudge dialogue to lip sync within single-frame tolerance, apply room…
Synchronize sounds and dialogue with action
+Line up the ADR and production audio, nudge dialogue to lip sync within single-frame tolerance, apply room ambience to fills, and deliver the synced stems to picture with timecode intact.
The tools that do the workApple macOSjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Musical instruments
+Tune the Fender and upright for the session, check string action and intonation, set pickup levels and DI…
Musical instruments
+Tune the Fender and upright for the session, check string action and intonation, set pickup levels and DI output so both amps and feeds are clean, then note any repairs needed in the session log.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Maintain sound equipment
+Inspect the main monitor speakers, power conditioner, and patchbay today, replace any brittle XLRs or fuses,…
Maintain sound equipment
+Inspect the main monitor speakers, power conditioner, and patchbay today, replace any brittle XLRs or fuses, tighten loose rack screws, run a pink-noise sweep to verify flat response, and log all repairs in the gear book before leaving.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Technically design a sound system
+Sketch the loudspeaker layout and processor locations for a 60-seat control room, calculate SPL targets and…
Technically design a sound system
+Sketch the loudspeaker layout and processor locations for a 60-seat control room, calculate SPL targets and delay settings for the nearfield and main pairs, annotate cable runs and mounting heights, then produce a parts list for procurement.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Manage personal professional development
+Create a two-year skills plan listing mastering courses, practice goals for analogue workflow, annual budget…
Manage personal professional development
+Create a two-year skills plan listing mastering courses, practice goals for analogue workflow, annual budget for reference vinyl and monitors, and three conferences to attend; schedule reminders and update after each completed item.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Work ergonomically
+Adjust the mastering room workstation today: set monitor height to ear level, angle chairs and console for…
Work ergonomically
+Adjust the mastering room workstation today: set monitor height to ear level, angle chairs and console for neutral posture, map keyboard shortcuts to reduce mouse reach, and document the ergonomic setup and daily microbreak routine.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses