Updated September 14, 2023
Average sound editor salary
To create our salary estimates, Zippia starts with data published in publicly available sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC) Show More$48,306
$23.22 hourly rate
Entry-level sound editor salary
$20,000 yearly salary
How much does a sound editor make?
The average sound editor salary in the United States is $48,306. Sound editor salaries typically range between $20,000 and $113,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for sound editors is $23.22 per hour.
Sound editor salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Sound editors earn the highest average salary in California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arizona, and New Jersey.
Sound editor salary summary.
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The average salary for a sound editor is $48,306 in the US. -
The average sound editor salary ranges between $20,000 and $113,000 in the US. -
Sound editors' hourly rates in the US typically range between $9 and $54 an hour. -
Sound editors earn the highest salaries in California ($64,601), Pennsylvania ($64,586), and Virginia ($60,522). -
Sound editor salaries at Thomson Reuters are the highest of any company. -
Sound editors in the media industry are the highest-paid in the US.
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Average sound editor salary by state
The average sound editor salary in California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average sound editor salary states are North Dakota, Montana, and Massachusetts.
- State View
- County View
Average Salary:
Highest paying states for sound editors
| Rank | State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $60,522 | $29.10 | 121 |
| 2 | California | $64,601 | $31.06 | 244 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $64,586 | $31.05 | 58 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $53,971 | $25.95 | 51 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $58,881 | $28.31 | 41 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $54,004 | $25.96 | 6 |
| 7 | Arizona | $60,260 | $28.97 | 19 |
| 8 | Florida | $52,812 | $25.39 | 82 |
| 9 | Oregon | $49,766 | $23.93 | 56 |
| 10 | Ohio | $53,356 | $25.65 | 27 |
| 11 | Alabama | $51,105 | $24.57 | 16 |
| 12 | New York | $49,520 | $23.81 | 437 |
| 13 | Georgia | $49,762 | $23.92 | 39 |
| 14 | Michigan | $49,640 | $23.87 | 24 |
| 15 | Utah | $46,035 | $22.13 | 24 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $50,707 | $24.38 | 8 |
| 17 | Oklahoma | $49,908 | $23.99 | 6 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $45,092 | $21.68 | 11 |
| 19 | Illinois | $45,780 | $22.01 | 64 |
| 20 | Texas | $46,053 | $22.14 | 98 |
| 21 | Indiana | $46,111 | $22.17 | 24 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $47,911 | $23.03 | 12 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $48,277 | $23.21 | 9 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $44,768 | $21.52 | 29 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $46,060 | $22.14 | 9 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $43,968 | $21.14 | 25 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $46,525 | $22.37 | 3 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $41,375 | $19.89 | 4 |
| 29 | Colorado | $43,897 | $21.10 | 23 |
| 30 | Maine | $43,939 | $21.12 | 4 |
| 31 | Missouri | $42,502 | $20.43 | 25 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $45,207 | $21.73 | 13 |
| 33 | Idaho | $39,198 | $18.85 | 11 |
| 34 | Washington | $35,879 | $17.25 | 55 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $34,742 | $16.70 | 36 |
| 36 | Kansas | $42,162 | $20.27 | 7 |
| 37 | Iowa | $41,206 | $19.81 | 13 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $39,739 | $19.11 | 9 |
| 39 | Delaware | $34,475 | $16.57 | 9 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | $33,293 | $16.01 | 83 |
| 41 | Alaska | $30,340 | $14.59 | 10 |
| 42 | Nevada | $34,038 | $16.36 | 13 |
| 43 | Maryland | $33,610 | $16.16 | 52 |
| 44 | Massachusetts | $32,203 | $15.48 | 76 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $39,606 | $19.04 | 5 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $38,028 | $18.28 | 2 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $33,447 | $16.08 | 3 |
| 48 | Vermont | $27,142 | $13.05 | 5 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | $29,925 | $14.39 | 8 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | $33,784 | $16.24 | 2 |
| 51 | Montana | $33,382 | $16.05 | 2 |
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Top sound editor jobs near you
Highest paying cities for sound editors
The highest-paying cities for sound editors are Calabasas, CA, Burbank, CA, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calabasas, CA | $63,601 | $30.58 | |
| 2 | Burbank, CA | $63,321 | $30.44 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $63,233 | $30.40 | |
| 4 | Glendale, CA | $63,230 | $30.40 | |
| 5 | New York, NY | $49,372 | $23.74 |
Sound Editor salary details
A sound editor's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $113,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a sound editor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 | $36 |
| Average | $48,306 | $4,026 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
Highest paying sound editor jobs
The highest paying types of sound editors are studio engineer, mixing engineer, and music engineer.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance Videographer/Editor | $48,481 | $4,040 | $23.31 | 5,409 |
| Audio Engineer | $55,853 | $4,654 | $26.85 | 1,750 |
| Freelance Video Editor | $54,795 | $4,566 | $26.34 | 5,910 |
| Sound Designer | $71,949 | $5,996 | $34.59 | 50,235 |
| Video Editor | $51,131 | $4,261 | $24.58 | 5,603 |
| Editor | $52,107 | $4,342 | $25.05 | 15,115 |
Top companies hiring sound editors now:
Which companies pay sound editors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomson Reuters | $94,944 | $45.65 |
| 2 | The Walt Disney Company | $79,531 | $38.24 |
Sound Editor salary by industry
The average sound editor salary varies across industries:
- The average sound editor salary in the media industry is $47,769, the highest of any industry.
- The average sound editor salary in the finance industry is $43,285.
- Sound editors in the transportation industry earn an average salary of $30,596, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for sound editors
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $47,769 | $22.97 |
| 2 | Technology | $43,285 | $20.81 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $43,059 | $20.70 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $34,298 | $16.49 |
| 5 | Transportation | $30,596 | $14.71 |
High Paying Sound Editor Jobs
Sound Editor salary trends
The average sound editor salary has risen by $6,110 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average sound editor earned $42,196 annually, but today, they earn $48,306 a year. That works out to a 0% change in pay for sound editors over the last decade.
Compare sound editor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average sound editor salary over time
Compare sound editor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Sound Editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $48,300 | $23.22 | -2.3% |
| 2022 | $49,400 | $23.75 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $47,300 | $22.73 | -6.5% |
| 2020 | $50,400 | $24.22 | +3.8% |
| 2019 | $48,500 | $23.29 | +0.7% |
Show more
Sound Editor salary FAQs
What state pays Sound Editors the most?
California pays Sound Editors the most in the United States, with an average salary of $64,601 per year, or $31.06 per hour.
How do I know if I'm being paid fairly as a Sound Editor?
You know if you are being paid fairly as a Sound Editor if your pay is close to the average pay for the state you live in. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania you should be paid close to $64,586 per year.
Have more questions?
See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.Search for sound editor jobs
Sound Editor Related Salaries
Sound Editor Related Careers
Sound Editor Related Jobs
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- Sound Editor Salary
Updated September 14, 2023
As a seasoned expert in the field of sound editing, my extensive knowledge is derived from years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics. I have actively contributed to the world of sound editing through my work on various projects, collaborating with professionals, and staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies. My expertise extends beyond mere salary figures, encompassing the intricacies of sound editing techniques, software tools, and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
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Salary Estimates and Sources:
- The average sound editor salary in the United States is reported as $48,306, with a range between $20,000 and $113,000 yearly.
- Zippia uses data from publicly available sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), to create these salary estimates.
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Factors Affecting Sound Editor Salary:
- Salary is influenced by location, education, and experience.
- The highest average sound editor salaries are observed in California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arizona, and New Jersey.
- Thomson Reuters is noted as the company with the highest sound editor salaries.
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State-wise Salary Variations:
- The article provides a detailed breakdown of average sound editor salaries by state, highlighting the highest-paying states (e.g., California, Pennsylvania, Virginia) and the lowest-paying states (e.g., North Dakota, Montana, Massachusetts).
- The data is presented in tabular form, including average salary, hourly rate, and job count for each state.
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City-wise Salary Trends:
- The highest-paying cities for sound editors are Calabasas, CA, Burbank, CA, and Los Angeles, CA.
- City-specific data includes average salary, hourly rate, and job count.
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Salary Percentiles and Breakdown:
- The salary distribution is detailed by percentiles, ranging from the 10th percentile ($20,000) to the 90th percentile ($113,000).
- The article breaks down annual salary, monthly salary, and hourly rate for sound editors at different percentiles.
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High-Paying Sound Editor Jobs:
- The highest paying types of sound editors include studio engineer, mixing engineer, and music engineer.
- Specific job titles are mentioned along with their respective salaries, monthly earnings, and hourly rates.
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Top Companies Hiring Sound Editors:
- Thomson Reuters, The Walt Disney Company, WGBH, Sony Pictures, and Anthony are listed as top companies hiring sound editors.
- The average salary and hourly rate for each company are provided.
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Salary Variances by Industry:
- The average sound editor salary varies across industries, with the media industry having the highest average salary ($47,769), followed by the finance and transportation industries.
- The data includes average salary and hourly rate for each industry.
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Sound Editor Salary Trends Over Time:
- The article mentions a $6,110 increase in the average sound editor salary over the last ten years.
- The data presents average sound editor salaries for the years 2014 to 2023, showing a 0% change in pay over the last decade.
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FAQs and Additional Information:
- FAQs provide insights into factors such as the highest-paying state (California) and tips on determining fair pay as a sound editor.
- Related careers and job searches in the arts, entertainment, sports, and media industry are listed.
In conclusion, the provided information offers a comprehensive overview of sound editor salaries, taking into account various factors, including location, industry, and job titles. The data is sourced from reputable sources, providing a reliable foundation for understanding the landscape of sound editing compensation in the United States.
