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Audio Description Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Description Abt Electronics has an immediate opening for the position of Custom Audio/Video Installer We are a family owned company who has been in business since 1936 and continues to experience ...

Description Abt Electronics has an immediate opening for the position of Custom Audio Support Representative. This is an in-house position (not remote) at our office located in Glenview, IL. We are a ...

W2VHE Field A/V Technician: eBryIT is seeking an experienced A/V Tech who is experienced in more carpentry-based installation projects and has the availability to travel to projects around the Wood ...

Description Abt Electronics has an immediate opening for the position of an Audio/Video Salesperson. We are a family owned company who has been in business since 1936 and continues to experience ...

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Audio Description information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.4K

$87K

$176.7K

How much do audio description jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for audio description in Chicago, IL is $87,001.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $116,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an audio description?

An Audio Description job involves creating verbal descriptions of visual elements in media, such as TV shows, movies, theater performances, and exhibitions, to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Professionals in this role write and narrate concise, vivid descriptions of key visual details, including actions, settings, and expressions, during natural pauses in dialogue. This ensures that visually impaired audiences can fully understand and enjoy the content.

What are the most common challenges faced by professionals in audio description roles?

One common challenge in Audio Description roles is accurately and concisely conveying essential visual information without overlapping with key dialogue or sound effects. Professionals must also stay up to date with industry accessibility standards and adapt their descriptions for a wide range of media, from television shows to live events. Collaboration is frequent, as audio describers often work closely with producers, voice actors, and accessibility coordinators to deliver high-quality content. Overcoming these challenges requires continuous learning and a commitment to making content inclusive for all audiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the audio description position, and why are they important?

To excel in Audio Description, you need strong language skills, attention to detail, and an excellent understanding of visual media, along with relevant education in media studies or communications. Familiarity with audio recording equipment, editing software such as Adobe Audition, and compliance with accessibility guidelines are typically required. Exceptional listening skills, creativity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively set top professionals apart. These skills are essential to create clear, accurate, and vivid audio descriptions that make visual content accessible to visually impaired audiences.

Infographic showing various Audio Description job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 32% Full Time, and 68% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,001 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Audio Engineer (Part-Time)

Chicago, IL • On-site

Columbia College Chicago
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 501 - 1,000 employees

$33.33/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in South Loop.

Columbia College Chicago is a private urban institution of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for a(an) AUDIO ENGINEER (Part-Time).

Under the direction of the Music Department's Technical Director, the Audio Engineer position is responsible for providing the audio support for afternoon, evening, and weekend classes and events scheduled in Music Department facilities, including the Concert Hall, the Sherwood Recital, and classrooms.

This is a part-time position at 18-hour max (not to exceed 950 hours per calendar year), three days per week position with a schedule of M-W F, 4-10 pm or TTh 3:30-10 pm and Sat 10-5 pm.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIES

  • Responsible for all aspects of live performances, including setup and teardown, monitors, front of house, projections, live operation, lighting, and involving audio systems, amplifiers, keyboards, microphones, mixers, video cameras, and switchers.

  • Responsible for all aspects of performance recordings, including setup, teardown, Logic multi-track backup, recorded video & audio, editing, mastering, and publishing concerts to Music Department YouTube channel and to shared student folders.

  • Responsible for all aspects of tracking and recording video and audio of non-performance tracking sessions. This includes setup, teardown, tracking, and backing up all video and audio recorded in the sessions.

  • Responsible for resetting Ensemble rooms after 9:00 pm to be ready for morning classes.

  • Oversee Music Center video monitor broadcasts of Logo, notices, future events and removing dated material.

  • Schedule and oversee volunteer concert hall tech crews, as needed.

  • Approve space requests for ensemble rooms.

  • Oversee work study students.

  • Inventories and tagging of new equipment.

  • Prep backstage gear for bands performing on outside events.

  • Maintain daily concert hall reports related to concert setup, operation, volume levels, striking, volunteer involvement, skill levels, areas of improvement and equipment location and condition.

  • Maintain an organized and clean workspace at all times.

  • May provide audio support for college-wide events like Convocation, Manifest, Columbia Weekend, etc., including setup and teardown, monitors, front of house, projections, live operation, lighting, and involving audio systems, amplifiers, keyboards, microphones, mixers, video cameras, and switchers.

  • Oversee the recording archive process which includes saving video/audio performances to external hard drives, labeling drives and creating and maintaining a FileMaker Pro database for easy access.

  • Assist with classroom and Concert Hall's equipment and technical needs.

  • Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

  • Bachelor's degree, plus two years' experience of running equipment and live sound, or equivalent combination of education, certification, experience, and/or training.

  • Ability to work a varied schedule when needed.

  • Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

  • Ability to work with diverse individuals in a positive and constructive manner while appreciating the unique contributions of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and social identities.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Maximum Hourly Rate: $23.16

Position Maximum Hourly Rate: $33.33

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Position subject to a background screening

  • This is a union position

  • This is a part-time position

  • This position is overtime ineligible

Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.