by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 12 U.S. colleges awarded 143 degrees and certificates in Audio Engineering Technology. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 43% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $62,113 one year after completing, rising to $75,955 after four years.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., audio engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 143 degrees awarded annually. 12 colleges award audio engineering technology degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 58.
By level, the 143 awards include 13 certificates, 62 associate degrees, 15 bachelor’s degrees and 53 master’s degrees.
Women earned 14% of audio engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (20 of 143). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (90) and Hispanic or Latino (25), and international students earned 3.
The most common audio engineering technology credential is the associate degree: 62 of the 143 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to audio engineering technology call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an audio engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 62 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 53 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to audio engineering technology, at 42.1%.
| 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% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Audio Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $87,998; the strongest outlook belongs to Non-Destructive Testing Specialists, at 3.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Club Disc Jockey (Club DJ) and Public Address Announcer.
The occupation related to audio engineering technology with the most projected jobs is Disc Jockeys, Except Radio, at 386,017.
| 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% |
Audio Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $62,113 one year after completing their program, $75,955 after four years and $73,692 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,113 |
| 4 years | $75,955 |
| 5 years | $73,692 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to audio engineering technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| 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 |
Audio Engineering Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 9,784 degrees a year; the largest are Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician (7,511), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (1,734) and Telecommunications Technology/Technician (332). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.