Assistant Recording Engineer Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does an Assistant Recording Engineer do?
Assistant Recording Engineers or Assistant Engineers acts as an apprentice to the Recording Engineer, supporting the lead with all studio-related activities in studio set-up and assisting with studio sessions. They are usually responsible for a wide range of tasks before and during recording sessions, making them the first to arrive and last to leave in the studio. They work primarily with the Lead Recording Engineer while supporting the needs of artists who are in the recording studio.
How much does an Assistant Recording Engineer make?
According to Ziprecruiter, Assistant Recording Engineers maintain a national annual salary of $50,089, which is an hourly wage of $24.08. Entry-level assistant recording engineers start around $32,000 annually. Senior-level assistant recording engineers make an annual average of $50,000. The range in salary widely depends on factors including skill, seniority level, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the music industry?
Assistant Engineers are the backbone of recording sessions, even if they aren’t considered the center of attention. Under the tutelage of the Recording Engineer, this assistant gain multitude of real-life experience and connections within the competitive music field.
What is the job outlook for an Assistant Recording Engineer?
Forecasts show that music revenue will more than double to about $131 billion by 2030. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the field (including assistant recording engineers) are expected to grow at a rate of 9% during the 2019-2029 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Familiarize yourself with recording equipment
- Study acoustics and what can affect sound.
- Explore the Clive Davis Institute at NYU x Billboard’s Music Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Music Career Guide.
Learn From:
Ryan Leslie, recording artist and producer, Music Industry Essentials contributor.
Credits: The High Road by JoJo, Dat Kid From Cleveland by Kid Cudi, Stronger with Each Tear by Mary J. Blige.
Related Careers:
Audio Engineer | Mastering Engineer | Mixing Engineer | Studio Engineer | Music Producer
