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Contract Audio Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sofar Sounds

Audio Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As an Audio Engineer at Sofar, you'll bring the magic on the sound desk at local shows throughout ... Please note: this is a month-to-month contract role. During that period of time, you are expected ...

Sofar Sounds

Audio Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$450 - $900/mo

As an Audio Engineer at Sofar, you'll bring the magic on the sound desk at local shows throughout ... Please note: this is a month-to-month contract role. During that period of time, you are expected ...

Sofar Sounds

Audio Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

As an Audio Engineer at Sofar, you'll bring the magic on the sound desk at local shows throughout ... Please note: this is a month-to-month contract role. During that period of time, you are expected ...

Mercor

Thai Music Audio Expert

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$17/hr

Contract Compensation: $17/hour Location: Remote Duration: Up to 6 months Commitment: 10+ hours ... Qualifications Must-Have * 3+ years of experience as a music producer, audio engineer, or sound ...

Mercor

Music Production Expert - Russian

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$35 - $49/hr

Contract Compensation: $35-$49/hour Location: Remote Duration: Up to 6 months Commitment: 20+ hours ... audio engineer, or mixing engineer. * Headphones or studio monitors suitable for critical listening.

Knightscope

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

Define and maintain A/V API contracts in collaboration with ICM and Signals platform engineers; contribute to code reviews, technical documentation, and on-call runbooks. * Mentor junior engineers ...

Knightscope

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$155K - $210K/yr

Define and maintain A/V API contracts in collaboration with ICM and Signals platform engineers; contribute to code reviews, technical documentation, and on-call runbooks. * Mentor junior engineers ...

TEKsystems

A/V Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$50 - $57/hr

Internal - assisting plan and build A/V events External - smooth event planning Business Challenge ... a Contract position based out of San Francisco, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this ...

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All JobsContract Audio Engineer JobsContract Audio Engineer Jobs in California

Contract Audio Engineer information

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$48

$97

How much do contract audio engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract audio engineer in California is $48.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.58 and $50.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract audio engineer?

A Contract Audio Engineer is a freelance or temporary professional responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering audio for various projects. They typically work on a per-project basis for studios, live events, film productions, podcasts, or gaming companies. Their duties include setting up audio equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring high-quality sound. Since they are not full-time employees, they often manage multiple clients, negotiate their own rates, and handle their own scheduling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract audio engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Audio Engineer, you need expertise in audio recording, mixing, sound editing, and live sound systems, often backed by a degree in audio engineering or related experience. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, mixing consoles, and relevant acoustics software is highly valued, along with certifications like CTS or Avid Pro Tools certification. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, flexibility, and time management are the standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality audio in diverse settings, meeting client expectations, and adapting to variable contract work environments.

What are the typical work environments and schedules for a contract audio engineer?

Contract Audio Engineers often work in a variety of environments, including recording studios, broadcast stations, event venues, and sometimes on-location for film or live events. Schedules can be irregular and are usually project-based, requiring flexibility for night, weekend, or extended hours depending on client needs and event timelines. Collaboration is common with producers, musicians, video editors, and technical teams to ensure seamless audio integration and top-quality results. Being accustomed to different acoustic settings and adapting quickly to new teams or workflows are essential aspects of this role. This dynamic work structure can offer exciting variety and the opportunity to build a diverse portfolio in the audio industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Audio Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Audio Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Audio Engineer jobs in California?

For Contract Audio Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Audio Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Audio Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Audio Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Audio Engineer job openings:

Contract Audio Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Audio Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 11% Temporary, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,448 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Audio Engineer

Sofar Sounds

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

About Us
Sofar Sounds is a global community that connects artists and audiences through unique and intimate experiences. Sofar shows transform everyday spaces - from living rooms and rooftops, to boutiques and museums - into captivating venues for intimate gigs, creating inclusive experiences that bring people closer together. Founded in London in 2009, Sofar creates space where music and arts matter in 400 cities around the world.
Our global team is distributed across the US and UK, and is backed by some of the best-known consumer industry investors (TCG, Battery Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Octopus and others).
As an Audio Engineer at Sofar, you'll bring the magic on the sound desk at local shows throughout NYC. Our shows are intimate and all about the music - which makes the sound that much more important. Working with our local crew teams, you'll ensure that our Sofar shows sound incredible and artists sets go off without a hitch. We work in some pretty cool and unexpected places, so you may need to get creative depending on the venue!
Please note: this is a month-to-month contract role. During that period of time, you are expected to work consistent shifts (2-4 per month depending on show volume) and bring your own gear to shows, including PA and mixer. The majority of our shows take place during the evenings on Thursday - Saturday.
What you'll do:
  • Provide live sound reinforcement for Sofar shows
  • Work with the crew team & artists to prep and execute each show
  • Reference our concert portal to ensure you have the right gear for each unique artist setup, and keep future requirements up to date
  • Transport your own gear to and from the venue
  • Set up and load-in audio equipment at the beginning of the show
  • Break down and load out audio equipment at the end of the show
  • Maintain safe and appropriate audio levels for the venue and audience size
  • Consult on audio requirements for venues, partnerships and special shows

Who you are:
  • You have experience with DIY audio setups, ideally at 50+ cap shows
  • You have your own gear and can arrange transportation to and from shows
  • You have a passion for live sound & creative problem solving - especially in unique venues!
  • You're a strong communicator and comfortable working with creatives
  • You are able to troubleshoot effectively, especially in high-pressure situations
  • You must be able to move up to 75 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation

$450 - $900 a month
If our mission and job opening resonate, you're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging and building a diverse team that reflects a variety of lived experiences, perspectives, and skills.
If our mission and job opening resonate, you're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging and building a diverse team that reflects a variety of lived experiences, perspectives, and skills.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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