Sound Engineering Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Sound Engineering Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $57,400 a year ($27.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,650 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $73,130. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $57,400. There are 0.10 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,010, close to the median.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 25th percentile | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Median | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 75th percentile | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Average (mean) | $52,010 | $25.01 |
Half of sound engineering technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,783.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,391.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,207.69 |
| Weekly | $1,103.85 |
| Hourly | $27.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sound Engineering Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,810 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for sound engineering technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $115,190 |
| District of Columbia | $106,630 |
| New York | $87,510 |
| Nevada | $84,570 |
| Maryland | $79,990 |
| California | $78,150 |
| Georgia | $77,010 |
| Kentucky | $74,100 |
| Illinois | $73,130 |
| Indiana | $73,130 |
See Sound Engineering Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Photographer | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Editor | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,230 | $26.07 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4014. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sound engineering technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $57,400 a year, or $27.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $61,650 a year. The top 25% earn $57,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,590 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $45,450 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 40 sound engineering technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.