Sound Designers Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$90,000
Average Salary
$98,000
Salary Range
$54,000 - $117,000
Est. Employment*
16,200
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all sound designers earn between $70,000 and $106,000.
About Sound Designers in San Francisco
Sound Designers combine artistic skill with technical knowledge to create compelling content and designs. Whether working in visual arts, media production, or performance, they shape how people experience culture and information.
In San Francisco, sound designers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology, Finance & Venture Capital, Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key Skills
Education
Bachelor's degree in fine arts, design, communications, or a related field
Education requirements vary widely. Many positions value a strong portfolio and practical experience as much as formal education. A bachelor's degree is common, but talent, creativity, and a compelling body of work are often most important.
Tips to Earn More as a Sound Designers
Sound Designers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $95,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | +6% |
| Seattle, WA | $85,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | -6% |
| Boston, MA | $83,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | -8% |
| New York, NY | $82,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | -9% |
| Washington DC, DC | $79,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | -12% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | -13% |
| San Diego, CA | $74,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | -18% |
| Austin, TX | $74,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | -18% |
| Portland, OR | $74,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | -18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $73,000 | $44,000 - $95,000 | -19% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Denver, CO | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Baltimore, MD | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Hartford, CT | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Anchorage, AK | $72,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | -20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $71,000 | $43,000 - $92,000 | -21% |
| Dallas, TX | $69,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | -23% |
| Chicago, IL | $68,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | -24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $67,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | -26% |
| Houston, TX | $66,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | -27% |
| Atlanta, GA | $66,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | -27% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -28% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -28% |
| Richmond, VA | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -28% |
| Miami, FL | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -29% |
| Detroit, MI | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -29% |
| Nashville, TN | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -29% |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -29% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Columbus, OH | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| St. Louis, MO | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Buffalo, NY | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -30% |
| Tampa, FL | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -31% |
| Orlando, FL | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -31% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -31% |
| Toronto, ON | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -31% |
| San Antonio, TX | $61,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | -32% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | -32% |
| Cleveland, OH | $61,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | -32% |
| Birmingham, AL | $61,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | -32% |
| Memphis, TN | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -33% |
| Louisville, KY | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -33% |
| Tucson, AZ | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -33% |
| Vancouver, BC | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -33% |
| Calgary, AB | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -33% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -34% |
| New Orleans, LA | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -34% |
| Ottawa, ON | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -38% |
| Edmonton, AB | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -38% |
| Montreal, QC | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -43% |
| Hamilton, ON | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -43% |
| Quebec City, QC | $49,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | -46% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $48,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | -47% |
| Halifax, NS | $48,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | -47% |