Acoustical Engineer
Impact: Problem-solving and innovation
Analyze and control sound and vibration in various environments, from architectural spaces to product design.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 40% Team / 60% Solo
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 43-49 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $103,000
- Entry-level
- $74,000
- Senior
- $156,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 15% (faster than average)
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Very Low
- Salary growth potential
- High to 111% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $20,000 - $40,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- FEA Analysis
- Thermodynamics
- Process Optimization
- Data Analysis
- CAD Software
- Circuit Design
Soft skills
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Time Management
- Emotional Intelligence
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5-7 years
- Years to senior
- 9-13 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Entry Level
- Mid Level
- Senior Level
- Lead/Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 18% to low risk due to specialized skills
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.6/10
- Meaning
- 6.7/10
- Work-life balance
- 8.4/10
- Prestige
- 5.1/10
- Social perception
- High