Sound Artist
Key facts
Sound artists use sound as a main creative medium. They express, through the creation of sounds, their intention and identity. Sound art is interdisciplinary in nature and takes on hybrid forms.
Sound artists work with sound as their primary medium, using it to convey ideas, emotions, and perspectives. Daily tasks can involve recording and manipulating sounds, composing sonic landscapes, designing audio installations, and collaborating with other artists, musicians, and technologists. The work is often interdisciplinary, blending art, technology, and performance. You might be creating soundscapes for exhibitions, composing music for film or theatre, or designing interactive sound installations for public spaces.
- • Recording and editing audio using various techniques and software.
- • Composing original sound pieces and sonic environments.
- • Designing and installing sound-based artworks for exhibitions and performances.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Legal, social and cultural professionals — 186 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Italy, Spain, Sweden.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 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)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $73,130 2025-05 | −1.7% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +15.9% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
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Future Outlook for sound artist
The outlook for sound artist 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 sound artist 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.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- mix sound in a live situation
- record music
- manage sound quality
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- contextualise artistic work
- use audio reproduction software
- edit recorded sound
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather reference materials for artwork
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
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 a sound artist
09 09:00 · Morning manage electronic logistics for sound equipment
10 10:30 · Mid-morning contextualise artistic work
12 12:00 · Midday discuss artwork
14 14:00 · Afternoon edit recorded sound
15 15:30 · Late afternoon gather reference materials for artwork
17 17:00 · Wrap-up mix multi-track recordings
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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operate the sound in the rehearsal studio
Create cues for any sound technicians and verify their understanding of them. If no sound crew are available, use others' cues to operate the sound system.
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set up a multi-track recording
Make the necessary preparations to record music or other sounds on several tracks.
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mix multi-track recordings
Mix recorded sound from several sources using a mix panel, and edit it to obtain the desired mix.
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program sound cues
Program sound cues and rehearse sound states before or during rehearsals.
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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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operate sound live
Operate sound system and audio devices during rehearsals or in a live situation.
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set up basic recording
Set up a basic stereo audio recording system.
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manage electronic logistics for sound equipment
Manage electronic logistics of sound equipment used for broadcasting, mixing, and taping.
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coordinate activities in audio recording studio
Monitor the daily operations in a audio recording studio. Make sure that persons involved in recording studio activities can produce the desired quality of sound according to customer specifications. Ensure the material is maintained and available.
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mix sound in a live situation
Mix audio signals from multiple sound sources during rehearsals or in a live situation.
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record music
Record a sound or musical performance in a studio or live environment. Use the appropriate equipment and your professional judgment to capture the sounds with optimal fidelity.
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use audio reproduction software
Operate software and equipment that transform and reproduce digital, analogue sounds and sound waves into the desired perceivable audio to be streamed.
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edit recorded sound
Edit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.
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manage sound quality
Perform sound checks. Set up audio equipment for optimal sound output before as well as during performance. Regulate the volume during broadcasts by controlling the audio equipment
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discuss artwork
Introduce and discuss the nature and content of art work, achieved or to be produced with an audience, art directors, catalogue editors, journalists, and other parties of interest.
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contextualise artistic work
Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the field, attend events, etc.
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analyse own performance
Understand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.
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gather reference materials for artwork
Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
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keep up with trends
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
art history
The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
- acoustics
- intellectual property law
- labour legislation
Path to become a sound artist
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
138 programmes in 19 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 57 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Bachelor of Science in Music and Sound Engineering
Technological University of the Shannon · Ireland
These are 6 of 195.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Source: Study in Serbia, an initiative of Foundation Tempus (bazaobrazovanja.rs).
- 3. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 4. Course information from Qualifax (qualifax.ie), Quality and Qualifications Ireland
- 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 sound artist 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 or training is helpful for becoming a sound artist?
Sound art seems very experimental. How do I find opportunities to showcase my work?
What are the typical work arrangements for sound artists?
How much does Sound Artist pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data