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Salary comparison

Sound Engineering Technicians vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Public Relations Specialistss out-earn Sound Engineering Technicianss by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sound Engineering Technicianss land at $73,130 and Public Relations Specialistss at $74,750. The education gap is real: sound engineering technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Sound Engineering Technicianss is New Jersey ($115,190); for Public Relations Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Sound Engineering Technicians
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$73,130
$74,750
Hourly rate
$35.16/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,570
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$137,370
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
13,080
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
New Jersey
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Sound Engineering Technicians median pay.

State
Sound Engineering Technicians
Public Relations Specialists
New Jersey
$115,190
$80,130
District of Columbia
$106,630
$102,740
New York
$87,510
$81,250
Nevada
$84,570
$73,840
Maryland
$79,990
$79,560
California
$78,150
$85,030
Georgia
$77,010
$73,200
Illinois
$73,130
$76,380
Connecticut
$72,800
$84,990
New Hampshire
$65,630
$73,280
Massachusetts
$63,250
$79,660
Colorado
$60,630
$80,680
Virginia
$49,920
$80,380
Wisconsin
$46,780
$67,240
New Mexico
$45,690
$68,700

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Sound Engineering Technicianss or Public Relations Specialistss?

Public Relations Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $73,130 for Sound Engineering Technicianss versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialistss, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Sound Engineering Technicians or Public Relations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Sound Engineering Technicians or Public Relations Specialists?

Sound Engineering Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Sound Engineering Technicianss get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Sound Engineering Technicianss at $115,190/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Sound Engineering Technicians vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Sound Engineering Technicianss earn $115,190 vs. $80,130 for Public Relations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Sound Engineering Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Sound Engineering Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a sound engineering techniciansGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →