Acoustical Engineer
Key facts
Acoustical engineers study and apply the science of sound to various applications. They work in a wide range of areas including the consultation of the acoustics and elements affecting the transmission of sound in spaces for performances or recording activities. They can also consult on the levels of noise contamination for those activities that require compliance with standards on that matter.
Acoustical engineers are problem-solvers who analyze and mitigate noise issues and design spaces for optimal sound quality. Your day might involve measuring sound levels in a construction site, modeling the acoustics of a concert hall, or advising on noise reduction strategies for industrial facilities. You'll use specialized software and equipment to predict and control how sound behaves in different environments, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
- • Analyzing existing spaces and identifying acoustic deficiencies.
- • Designing acoustic treatments and systems for buildings, studios, and outdoor areas.
- • Conducting sound level measurements and performing acoustic modeling.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $104,110 2025-05 | +9.1% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2025 * | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £51,950 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for acoustical engineer
The outlook for acoustical engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could acoustical engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
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How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- assess sound quality
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform scientific research
- prevent undesired changes to sound design
- perform soundchecks
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as an acoustical engineer
09 09:00 · Morning assess sound quality
10 10:30 · Mid-morning perform soundchecks
12 12:00 · Midday use sound measuring instruments
14 14:00 · Afternoon prevent undesired changes to sound design
15 15:30 · Late afternoon technically design a sound system
17 17:00 · Wrap-up adjust engineering designs
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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prevent undesired changes to sound design
Adapt your maintenance of sound equipment to prevent undesired changes in the sound balance and design, safeguarding the overall production quality.
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perform soundchecks
Test the sound equipment of a venue to ensure smooth operation during the performance. Cooperate with performers to make sure the venue equipment is adjusted for the requirements of the performance. Check instrument setup and ensure correct functioning of the audio equipment. Anticipate possible technical problems during a live show.
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technically design a sound system
Set up, test and operate a complex audio system, based on a given sound concept. This could be a permanent as well as a temporary installation.
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approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
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adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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assess sound quality
Assess the recorded sound and music. Make sure it conforms to specifications.
-
use sound measuring instruments
Operate instruments such as transducers and sound level meters to measure noise levels in an environment in order to prevent noise pollution.
engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
architecture regulations
The regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture.
- acoustics
- audio technology
- engineering principles
- audio editing software
- building codes
- computer science
- design principles
- electrical engineering
- physics
Path to become an acoustical engineer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
261 programmes in 25 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 62 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Speech Technology
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen · the Netherlands
Master of Design Science (Audio and Acoustics) (Honours)
The University of Sydney · Australia
Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia · Estonia
These are 6 of 323.
Sources
- 1. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 2. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 3. Source: EHIS (Estonian Education Information System), Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia, open data. Data as at 26/09/2026.
- 4. Source: Malta Qualifications Registry, Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (qualifications.mfhea.gov.mt).
- 5. Contains information from MySkillsFuture Course Run accessed on 2026-09-28 from data.gov.sg which is made available under the terms of the Singapore Open Data Licence version 1.0 (https://data.gov.sg/open-data-licence)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does acoustical engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of education is typically required to become an acoustical engineer?
Are there specific software programs that acoustical engineers commonly use?
What are some of the work environments where acoustical engineers can find employment?
Is there a shortage of Acoustical Engineer in Europe?
How much does Acoustical Engineer pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data