Sound Engineering Technicians: 13,080 jobs, median pay $73,130 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

13,080

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$73,130

Median pay a year

Middle half: $49,910–$100,280

1,000

Annual openings

10-year change: −3.1%

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

One employer filed 67% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 43 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $77,850 · LCA filings 22,820$77,8502

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $97,510 · LCA filings 01,960$97,5100

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $94,990 · LCA filings 0460$94,9900

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $73,140 · LCA filings 0450$73,1400

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $83,810 · LCA filings 0380$83,8100

Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $71,180 · LCA filings 0320$71,1800

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0300n/a0

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $79,990 · LCA filings 0240$79,9900

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0230n/a0

Salt Lake City–Murray, UTMedian pay $36,400 · LCA filings 0160$36,4000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 1,960 · LCA filings 0$97,5101,9600

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 460 · LCA filings 0$94,9904600

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployment 150 · LCA filings 0$86,6101500

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 380 · LCA filings 0$83,8103800

Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$81,8401400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 2,820212,820

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 901190

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $65,458 · Level III $83,949 · Level IV $102,461$46,946$65,458$83,949$102,461

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $78,354 · Level III $100,901 · Level IV $123,448$55,806$78,354$100,901$123,448

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $85,800 · Level III $108,618 · Level IV $131,456$62,962$85,800$108,618$131,456

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $53,373 · Level III $70,138 · Level IV $86,902$36,608$53,373$70,138$86,902

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $78,853 · Level III $82,451 · Level IV $86,070$75,234$78,853$82,451$86,070

Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $70,512 · Level III $94,286 · Level IV $118,061$46,738$70,512$94,286$118,061

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $47,674 · Level III $57,782 · Level IV $67,870$37,586$47,674$57,782$67,870

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $75,213 · Level III $90,459 · Level IV $105,706$59,966$75,213$90,459$105,706

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $66,643 · Level III $86,944 · Level IV $107,266$46,322$66,643$86,944$107,266

Salt Lake City–Murray, UTLevel II $36,878 · Level III $45,053 · Level IV $53,248$28,683$36,878$45,053$53,248

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $56,909 · Level III $74,568 · Level IV $92,248$39,229$56,909$74,568$92,248

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansCIP 10.02OPT · up to 12 months108OPT · up to 12 months

Communications Technologies/TechniciansCIP 10.01OPT · up to 12 months11OPT · up to 12 months

MusicCIP 50.09OPT · up to 12 months3,481OPT · up to 12 months

See Sound Engineering Technicians in every metro area

All 43 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology