Human edge, steady

Sound engineering technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

AI Resistance Index 37 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 37% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by -3.1% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on creative vision and physical dexterity.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $73,130
Job growth to 2035: -3.1%
Openings a year: 1,000
People doing it (2025): 15,000
Usual route in: College certificate, then short on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
Communicate with others about specifications or project details
Process digital or online data

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Operate audiovisual or related equipment
Alter audio or video recordings
Maintain operational records

What the work looks like

Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as the use of wireless technology and artificial intelligence (AI) systems allow technicians to perform tasks more efficiently.
Fewer of these jobs, as technologies such as digital audio workstations allow more artists to produce their own recordings, while wireless technology and artificial intelligence (AI) systems allow technicians to perform tasks more efficiently.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Floral designersHuman edge, steady, Index 48, -5.6%
Merchandise displayers and window trimmersHuman edge, steady, Index 72, +2.7%
Makeup artists, theatrical and performanceHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
Media and communication workers, all otherGrows with AI, Index 44, +3.9%

Also known as: Audio Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, Sound Engineer, Audio Operator, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Technician (Mixing Tech), Music Producer.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.