Sound Engineering Technicians

Sound Engineering Technicians score 43 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #381 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 14 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 10 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

43/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #381of 923 jobs
US workers: 13,080BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $73,130a year
In real AI use: 2 of 14tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (7%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 10 (71%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (21%)

Keep logs of recordings.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Tear down equipment after event completion.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about sound engineering technicians and AI

Will AI replace sound engineering technicians?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Sound Engineering Technicians score 43 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #381 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 11 of the job's 14 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which sound engineering technicians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Keep logs of recordings".

Which sound engineering technicians tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones"; "Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made"; "Tear down equipment after event completion".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 14 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as sound engineering technicians, and what do they earn?

About 13,080 people in the US, with median pay of $73,130 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.