Sound Engineering Technicians
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 27-4014.00
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.35
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only14 rated tasks · 11 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (78.6%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.27-4014.00 | 0.004842.5 |
Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.27-4014.00 | 0.002623.0 |
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.27-4014.00 | 0.002017.2 |
Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.27-4014.00 | 0.002017.2 |
| Not observed on any surface — 10 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles. | —0 |
Prepare for recording sessions by performing activities such as selecting and setting up microphones. | —0 |
Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made. | —0 |
Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards. | —0 |
Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles. | —0 |
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment. | —0 |
Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment. | —0 |
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds later during the mixing or postproduction stage. | —0 |
Keep logs of recordings. | —0 |
Tear down equipment after event completion. | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Keep logs of recordings.O*NET Task ID 7730 | 1.0 |
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.O*NET Task ID 7720 | 0.5 |
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.O*NET Task ID 7722 | 0.5 |
Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.O*NET Task ID 7725 | 0.5 |
Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.O*NET Task ID 7726 | 0.5 |
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.O*NET Task ID 7727 | 0.5 |
Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.O*NET Task ID 7728 | 0.5 |
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.O*NET Task ID 7729 | 0.5 |
Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.O*NET Task ID 7731 | 0.5 |
Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.O*NET Task ID 18661 | 0.5 |
Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.O*NET Task ID 18662 | 0.5 |
Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.O*NET Task ID 7723 | 0.0 |
Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.O*NET Task ID 7724 | 0.0 |
Tear down equipment after event completion.O*NET Task ID 18660 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (14)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film. | Core |
| Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles. | Core |
| Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones. | Core |
| Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made. | Core |
| Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards. | Core |
| Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles. | Core |
| Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment. | Core |
| Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment. | Core |
| Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage. | Core |
| Keep logs of recordings. | Core |
| Tear down equipment after event completion. | Core |
| Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving. | Core |
| Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances. | Core |
| Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction. | Supplemental |
0.26/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Tear down equipment after event completion. | E0 none |
| Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 15K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 15K
- Change (2025–35)
- -3.1%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $73,130
- Typical education needed for entry
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29350 | 음향 및 녹음 기사 | Same scope | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3521Broadcasting and Audio-visual Technicians
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Broadcasting and audio-visual technicians control technical functioning of equipment to record and edit images and sound and for transmitting radio and television broadcasts of images and sounds, as well as other types of telecommunication signals on land, sea or in aircraft.
Tasks
- (a) controlling equipment to record sound;
- (b) controlling equipment to edit and mix image and sound recordings to ensure satisfactory quality and to create special image and sound effects;
- (c) applying knowledge of principles and practices of image and sound recording and editing in order to identify and solve problems;
- (d) controlling transmitting and broadcast systems and satellite systems for radio and television programmes;
- (e) controlling radio communications systems, satellite services and multiplex systems on land, sea or in aircraft;
- (f) applying knowledge of principles and practices of broadcasting, telecommunications terminals and transmissions systems, in order to identify and solve problems;
- (g) making emergency repairs to equipment.
Example occupations
Audio-visual operator · Broadcasting equipment operator · Broadcast technician · Camera operator (motion picture) · Camera operator (video) · Production assistant (media)
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- audio-visual technicianESCO 3521.1This occupation is narrower
Audio-visual technicians set up, operate and maintain equipment to record and edit images and sound for radio and television broadcasts, at live events and for telecommunication signals.
- audio production technicianESCO 3521.1.1This occupation is broader
Audio production technicians set up, prepare, check and maintain equipment in order to provide optimal sound quality for a live performance. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and operate sound equipment and instruments.
- boom operatorESCO 3521.1.2This occupation is broader
Boom operators set up and operate the boom microphone, either by hand, on an arm or on a moving platform. They make sure that every microphone is correctly stationed on set and in the best position to capture the dialogues. Boom operators are also responsible for the microphones on the actors clothing.
- mastering engineerESCO 3521.1.4This occupation is broader
Mastering engineers convert finished recordings to the desired format such as CD, vinyl and digital. They ensure the quality of the sound on all formats.
- recording studio technicianESCO 3521.1.7This occupation is broader
Recording studio technicians operate and maintain microphones and headsets in recording booths in recording studios. They operate mixing panels. Recording studio technicians manage all sound production requirements. They advise singers on the use of their voice. Recording studio technicians edit recordings into a finished product.
- sound operatorESCO 3521.1.11This occupation is broader
Sound operators control the sound of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers and performers. They prepare audio fragments, supervise the setup, steer the technical crew, program the equipment and operate the sound system. Their work is based on plans, instructions and other documentation.
- theatre technicianESCO 3435.23Overlapping, not the same
Theatre technicians execute all technical tasks to support live performances. They build and break down stages and decors, install and operate sound, light, recording and video equipment and organise the transport of decors and technical equipment for performances on displacement.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| L1508 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure du son | Same scopeprovisional |
| L1507 | Monteur / Monteuse vidéo | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3831 | Técnicos de grabación audiovisual | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 94534 | Berufe in der Bild- und Tontechnik - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 94532 | Berufe in der Bild- und Tontechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the same |
| 94533 | Berufe in der Bild- und Tontechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the same |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 592 | 生産類似作業従事者 | This occupation is narrower |
| 246 | 通信機器操作従事者 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources