by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Audio Engineering Technology explores A Program Of Study That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Mixing, Recording, And Production Of Music. Includes Instruction In Acoustics, Audio Mixing, Audio Production, Audio Recording, Computer Composition Of Music, Music Theory, Digital Devices, And Sound Technology. Read on to learn the essential details every audio engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering audio engineering technology programs.
In the U.S., audio engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 76 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Audio Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for audio engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of audio engineering technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Audio Engineering Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations audio engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a audio engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a audio engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several audio engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 35 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28 |
People currently working in careers related to audio engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 42.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 20.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.3% |
| Some college courses | 7.2% |
| Master’s degree | 1.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in audio engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in audio engineering technology can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to audio engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to audio engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | 386,017 | -3.0% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of audio engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,062 |
| 4 years | $60,768 |
| 5 years | $67,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for audio engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers audio engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | $87,328 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 10 different audio engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased audio engineering technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in audio engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
