Sound Editor
Impact: Creative, Technical
Sound editors are responsible for assembling and synchronizing all sound elements to dialogue, music, and sound effects to to create the final audio track for films, television shows, video games, and other media. They work closely with directors and other post-production team members to achieve the desired auditory experience.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $70,000
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $105,000
- Growth by 2033
- 8%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- High
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $30,000 - $60,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Audio Editing Software Proficiency
- Sound Design
- Mixing and Mastering
Soft skills
- Creativity
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-Solving
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 4-7
- Years to senior
- 8-12
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Assistant Sound Editor
- Sound Editor
- Supervising Sound Editor
- Sound Designer
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 25%
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High