- The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in May 2009, the median compensation of sound engineers was $22.29 hourly or $46,370 yearly. The bottom 10 percent made $11.26 or $23,420 and the upper 10 percent received $45.32 or $94,270.
- The industry involved affected pay. This profession's highest-paying industries were software publishing, with rates of $31.50 or $65,520; computer systems design, with rates of $30.85 or $64,170; religious organizations, with rates of $30.36 or $63,150; traveler accommodations, with rates of $29.20 or $60,470; and motion picture and video, with rates of $29.07 or $60,470.
- The states in which the job was performed influenced compensation. The top five for pay were the District of Columbia, paying $34.04 or $70,790; California, paying $33.58 or $69,840; Montana, paying $31.85 or $66,240; Georgia, paying $28.96 or $60,240; and Connecticut, paying $27.95 or $58,150.
- Salaries varied by metro area, with Los Angeles offering the highest rates at $37.07 or $77,100; followed by Atlanta, in which rates were $31.94 or $66,430; Nassau County, New York, in which rates were $31.12 or $64,740; San Francisco, in which rates were $30.26 or $62,950; and Hartford, Connecticut, in which rates were $30.13 or $62,680.
- The areas with the greatest employment numbers may or may not have the best pay. For example, the industry with the most jobs was the motion picture and video industry, which was also a top payer, and the sound recording industry, which was not a top payer, with salaries of $26.63 or $55,390. States with the greatest concentration of recording engineers included New York, with a rate of $27.47 or $57,150, and Nevada, with a rate of $27.04 or $56,250. Neither of these was ranked the best in salaries. Finally, metro areas with the greatest concentration of professionals included Los Angeles, which was also highest in salary, and New York City, with salaries of $27.90 or $58,040. New York City was not ranked in the top five for pay.
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