Sound Engineering Technician salary in District of Columbia
Sound Engineering Technicians in District of Columbia earn a median of $106,630 a year ($51.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,000 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $73,130. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 35 states for sound engineering technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 sound engineering technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sound engineering technicians in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| 25th percentile | $71,030 | $34.15 |
| Median | $106,630 | $51.26 |
| 75th percentile | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,000 | $75.00 |
| Average (mean) | $107,510 | $51.69 |
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 | $8,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,442.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,101.15 |
| Weekly | $2,050.58 |
| Hourly | $51.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sound Engineering Technician salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,990 | 240 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
| Photographer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| Editor | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Technical Writer | $117,810 | $56.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for sound engineering technicians in District of Columbia is $106,630 a year, or $51.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sound engineering technicians make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of sound engineering technicians in District of Columbia earn at least $156,000 a year. The top 25% earn $127,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for sound engineering technicians in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,300 a year, and a quarter of sound engineering technicians earn $71,030 or less.
How many sound engineering technicians work in District of Columbia?
About 90 sound engineering technicians are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.