Career comparison
Broadcast Technician vs. Sound Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Sound engineers earn more at the median ($73,130 vs. $59,570), while sound engineers usually get to work faster (6 months–2 years of training). Broadcast technicians keep TV and radio signals on the air. Sound engineers record, mix and master sound for music, film, broadcast and live events.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Broadcast Technician | Sound Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $59,570 ($28.64/hr) | $73,130 ($35.16/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $31,390 – $123,670 | $37,570 – $137,370 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.1% (a projected decline) | -3.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 1,600 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 2-year degree | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | SBE certification | Avid Pro Tools certification |
| Work setting | Technicians work in stations, control rooms and remote sites.. | Engineers work in recording studios, film sets, broadcast facilities, theaters and concert venues.. |
What each job does
Broadcast Technician
- Run master control
- Monitor signals
- Operate switchers
- Maintain equipment
- Set up remote broadcasts
Sound Engineer
- Set up microphones and recording equipment
- Record sessions
- Edit audio tracks
- Mix and balance sound
- Master final recordings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, shift work, and indoor work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose broadcast technician if…
- I like media tech
- I stay calm live
- I like troubleshooting
Choose sound engineer if…
- I love music or sound
- I have a good ear
- I enjoy technical equipment
Still torn? Take the Broadcast Technician fit quiz and the Sound Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, broadcast technician or sound engineer?
Sound Engineers earn more at the median: $73,130 versus $59,570 for broadcast technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Sound Engineers typically train faster (6 months–2 years) than broadcast technicians (2-year degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects broadcast technicians to grow -3.1% from 2025–35, compared with -3.1% for sound engineers.