Recording Arts Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Recording Arts Technology equips students with the technical expertise and creative insight needed to produce high-quality audio across diverse media platforms. This program focuses on the integration of advanced audio engineering principles with modern digital workflows, preparing graduates for dynamic roles in music, film, broadcasting, live events, and multimedia content creation.
- Sound Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Learn to set up, calibrate, and troubleshoot professional audio hardware, including microphones, preamplifiers, and signal processors, ensuring optimal performance in studio and live environments.
- Audio Recording Techniques: Master the art of capturing clean, nuanced recordings of music, spoken dialogue, and sound effects using industry-standard practices and microphone placement strategies.
- Soundtrack Editing and Post-Production: Develop precision editing skills to align audio with visual content, correct timing discrepancies, and refine recordings for seamless integration in film, video, and digital media.
- Dubbing and Mixing: Gain hands-on experience in balancing audio levels, applying spatial effects, and creating immersive soundscapes through professional mixing techniques and automation.
- Sound Engineering Fundamentals: Explore the science and application of acoustics, signal flow, and audio processing to design efficient and high-fidelity recording systems.
- Physical and Digital Media Production: Understand the processes behind analog and digital media formats, including mastering for tape, disk, CD, and digital distribution platforms.
- Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and Signal Transmission: Become proficient in industry-leading software environments and learn secure, high-quality methods for transmitting audio across networks and platforms.
- Amplification and Modulation Techniques: Study the principles of signal amplification, frequency modulation, and transmission protocols critical for broadcast and live sound reinforcement.
- Collaborative Production Practices: Build communication and teamwork skills essential for working effectively with directors, producers, editors, artists, and other creative professionals across production teams.
Recording Arts Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Recording Arts Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Recording Arts Technology degrees, including Sound Engineering Technicians, Audio and Video Technicians and Disc Jockeys, Except Radio. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 91,300 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Engineering Technicians 27-4014 | $66,430 | $36,600 - $134,980 | 13,050 | $31.94 |
| Audio and Video Technicians 27-4011 | $54,830 | $35,290 - $98,190 | 70,080 | $26.36 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio 27-2091 | N/A | N/A | 8,170 | $20.59 |
Recording Arts Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $33,210 in Mississippi to $93,400 in New Jersey—a 181% difference. The highest-paying states include New Jersey, Washington, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 91,300 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Recording Arts Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Recording Arts Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Recording Arts Technology is found at SAE Institute of Technology, Nashville (671 graduates), Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS) (412 graduates), Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) (157 graduates), Belmont University (129 graduates), and Valencia College (71 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,396 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAE Institute of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
671 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | usa.sae.edu |
| Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
412 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | cras.edu |
| Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
157 | Orlando, Florida | Private | first.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
129 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Valencia College |
Other Award
|
71 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television (CCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
63 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | ccatpuertorico.com |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Other Award
|
63 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Musicians Institute (MI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Hollywood, California | Private | mi.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Other Award
|
52 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Columbia Central University (CCU) |
Associate's
|
49 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | columbiacentral.edu |
| MediaTech Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
49 | Dallas, Texas | Private | mediatech.edu |
| Omega Studios' School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
43 | Rockville, Maryland | Private | omegastudios.com |
| The Recording Conservatory of Austin (TRCoA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
41 | Austin, Texas | Private | trcoa.edu |
| Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Spokane, Washington | Public | sfcc.spokane.edu |
| Wayne Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Goldsboro, North Carolina | Public | waynecc.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Other Award
|
37 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Husson University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
35 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
34 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Citrus College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
33 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
32 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
29 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| MediaTech Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Houston, Texas | Private | mediatech.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Other Award
|
28 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Northeast State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
28 | Blountville, Tennessee | Public | northeaststate.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
26 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) |
Associate's
|
25 | Blue Bell, Pennsylvania | Public | mc3.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Master's
|
25 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Foothill College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Los Altos Hills, California | Public | foothill.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Ohio Media School (OMS) |
Other Award
|
24 | Valley View, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (AIMM) |
Associate's
|
24 | Duluth, Georgia | Private | aimm.edu |
| Cypress College |
Other Award
|
23 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Other Award
|
22 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| The Evergreen State College |
Residency
Other Award
|
20 | Olympia, Washington | Public | evergreen.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Other Award
|
19 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
18 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| CUNY Queensborough Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Bayside, New York | Public | qcc.cuny.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
|
15 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| South Plains College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Canandaigua, New York | Public | flcc.edu |
| Antelope Valley Community College District (AVCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Lancaster, California | Public | avc.edu |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Kansas City, Kansas | Public | kckcc.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
13 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Ohio Media School |
Other Award
|
13 | Norwood, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Associate's
|
12 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Remington College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | remingtoncollege.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
11 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Norco College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Camden County College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Public | camdencc.edu |
| Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District (MSJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | San Jacinto, California | Public | msjc.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
9 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Las Positas College (LPC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Livermore, California | Public | laspositascollege.edu |
| Ohio Media School |
Other Award
|
9 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Moorpark College |
Other Award
|
8 | Moorpark, California | Public | moorparkcollege.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Other Award
|
8 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVUP) |
Associate's
|
8 | Parkersburg, West Virginia | Public | wvup.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Recording Arts Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Recording Arts Technology degree?
Salaries for Recording Arts Technology graduates vary by role and location. Sound Engineering Technicians earn a median of $66,430 annually, while Audio and Video Technicians earn around $54,830. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Jersey average $93,400 compared to $33,210 in Mississippi. Approximately 91,300 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Recording Arts Technology programs?
Currently 169 accredited institutions offer Recording Arts Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include SAE Institute of Technology, Nashville (671 graduates), Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS) (412 graduates), and Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) (157 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Recording Arts Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,910 in 2010 to 3,658 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Recording Arts Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Sound Engineering Technicians, Audio and Video Technicians, and Disc Jockeys, Except Radio. Related occupations employ approximately 91,300 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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