Sound Engineering Technicians Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a sound engineering technicians in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $77,620/year ($37.32/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $68,346 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 51.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
About sound engineering technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level sound engineering technicians (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $136K or more - a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Sound Engineering Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $112K | +68% | 320 |
| Washington | $111K | +67% | 350 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +53% | 90 |
| Arizona | $97K | +47% | 250 |
| New York | $87K | +31% | 1,690 |
| Nevada | $82K | +23% | 160 |
| California | $78K | +17% | 3,800 |
| Alabama | $77K | +17% | 50 |
| Maryland | $71K | +7% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $70K | +5% | 500 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -6% | 70 |
| Florida | $62K | -6% | 800 |
| Minnesota | $62K | -7% | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | -7% | 170 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -9% | N/A |
Track sound engineering technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do sound engineering technicians make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $77,620 a year - that works out to about $37.32 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,900, and experienced sound engineering technicians can clear $136,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,970/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a sound engineering technicians salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sound engineering technicians salary is worth about $68,346 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sound engineering technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.