Sound Engineering Technicians Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a sound engineering technicians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $119,600/year ($57.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $107,622 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 31.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $120K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About sound engineering technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level sound engineering technicians (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $120K.Top earners bring in $165K or more - a $106K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do sound engineering technicians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $119,600 a year - that works out to about $57.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,280, and experienced sound engineering technicians can clear $165,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $120K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,708/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.4% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $107,622 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.