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Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Breaking News Reporter

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $110K/yr

... audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter ... You enjoy mastering new subjects quickly and explaining them clearly. * You are energized by ...

Breaking News Reporter

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $110K/yr

... audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter ... You enjoy mastering new subjects quickly and explaining them clearly. * You are energized by ...

Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$20

$37

$62

How much do entry level audio mastering engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level audio mastering engineer in Washington, DC is $37.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.48 and $42.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer vs Entry Level Audio Mixing Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Audio Mastering EngineerEntry Level Audio Mixing Engineer
CredentialsBasic audio engineering knowledge, certification preferredBasic audio engineering knowledge, certification preferred
Work EnvironmentStudios, post-production houses, mastering facilitiesRecording studios, production environments, post-production
Employer & Industry UsageMusic, post-production, mastering housesMusic, film, TV, multimedia projects
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in masteringUnderstanding entry-level roles in mixing

Both roles require foundational audio skills and work in studio environments, but mastering engineers focus on finalizing tracks for distribution, while mixing engineers shape the sound during production. Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineers typically work on polishing tracks after mixing, ensuring consistency and quality for release.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level audio mastering engineers, and how can they be overcome?

Entry level audio mastering engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to different genres, managing client expectations, and learning to use a wide range of mastering tools effectively. Navigating feedback from clients and more experienced engineers can be daunting, but clear communication and a willingness to learn are key to improvement. Staying updated on industry-standard practices and regularly practicing with various audio tracks help build technical proficiency and confidence. Additionally, collaborating with mixing engineers and producers can provide valuable insights and help you grow your professional network.

What does an Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer do?

An Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer assists in the final stage of music production by preparing audio tracks for distribution. Their tasks often include adjusting levels, equalization, compression, and sequencing songs to ensure consistency and quality across an album or single. They work closely under the supervision of senior engineers, using specialized software and hardware to enhance the sound. This role provides essential hands-on experience in the mastering process and is a crucial step for anyone looking to advance in audio engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer, you need a solid understanding of audio theory, acoustics, and digital audio workstations (DAWs), often supported by a degree or coursework in audio engineering or music production. Familiarity with mastering software such as iZotope Ozone, Waves plugins, and industry-standard hardware is essential. Strong attention to detail, critical listening, and effective communication with clients distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality, professional-sounding audio that meets industry standards and client expectations.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Technician, Uplink Control Center (UCC)

Sirius XM

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Who We Are:
SiriusXM and its brands (Pandora, SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, Simplecast, and SiriusXM Connect) are leading a new era of audio entertainment and services by delivering the most compelling subscription and ad-supported audio entertainment experience for listeners -- in the car, at home, and anywhere on the go with connected devices. Our vision is to shape the future of audio, where everyone can be effortlessly connected to the voices, stories and music they love wherever they are.
This is the place where a diverse group of emerging talent and legends alike come to share authentic and purposeful songs, stories, sounds and insights through some of the best programming and technology in the world. Our critically acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy, news, talk, live events, and podcasting. No matter their individual role, each of our employees plays a vital part in bringing SiriusXM's vision to life every day.
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America, and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. SiriusXM's platforms collectively reach approximately 150 million listeners, the largest digital audio audience across paid and free tiers in North America, and deliver music, sports, talk, news, comedy, entertainment and podcasts. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM's subsidiaries Simplecast and AdsWizz make it a leader in podcast hosting, production, distribution, analytics and monetization. The Company's advertising sales organization, which operates as SXM Media, leverages its scale, cross-platform sales organization and ad tech capabilities to deliver results for audio creators and advertisers. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers.
How you'll make an impact:
As part of the Washington DC Uplink Operations Center, you will support real-time satellite uplink and downlink operations, ensuring stability and quality across SiriusXM's broadcast network. This entry-level role provides the foundation for growth into advanced technical and leadership positions within the operations team.
What you'll do:
As a Uplink Control Center Technician, you will monitor and control satellite uplink and downlink systems in real time, managing signal routing, redundancy, and switching for live and scheduled content. You will identify, document, and escalate system alarms and broadcast anomalies while coordinating with network and broadcast engineering teams to resolve issues. You'll maintain system logs, update incident tickets, follow escalation protocols, and support disaster recovery and maintenance procedures as directed.
The role requires attention to detail, strong situational awareness, and the ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, live broadcast environment. Uplink Control Center Technicians are also responsible for maintaining accurate operational logs, documenting incidents in ticketing systems, and following established escalation and recovery procedures. Through these efforts, they help uphold SiriusXM's reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable audio content to millions of subscribers across North America.
What you'll need
  • 0-2 years of experience in broadcast operations, uplink control, or related technical fields
  • Associate degree in Broadcast Engineering, Electronics, or Communications Technology preferred
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills
  • Ability to support a 24/7 facility, including holidays and weekends
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical writing skills.
  • Monitor and control satellite uplink and downlink systems in real time
  • Manage signal routing, redundancy, and switching for live and scheduled content.
  • Identify, document, and escalate system alarms and broadcast anomalies
  • Coordinate with network and broadcast engineering teams to resolve service issues
  • Maintain system logs, update incident tickets, and follow escalation protocols
  • Support disaster recovery and maintenance procedures as directed
  • Able to support a 24/7 facility; able to work holidays, weekends, and occasional overtime. This is a fixed shift position, but subject to change based on operational requirements
  • Basic understanding of uplink and broadcast infrastructure, including audio and metadata encoding, encryption, and RF systems
  • Knowledge of baseband and IP signal routing using Linux and web-based tools
  • Familiarity with Ops Genie, ELK, or Splunk for monitoring and alerting
  • Basic knowledge of ServiceNow, Jira, or similar tools for ticketing and incident tracking
  • Experience with automation and/or AI tools such as chatGPT, Gemini, etc
  • Collaborates across operations and engineering teams to ensure continuity
  • Supports SiriusXM's reputation for high-quality, reliable broadcast delivery
  • Effective written and verbal communicator
  • Team player capable of working under pressure in a live broadcast environment

This position requires the use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As required by ITAR, to perform this position you must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e., 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee
At SiriusXM, we carefully consider a wide range of factors when determining compensation, including your background and experience. These considerations can cause your compensation to vary. We expect the base salary for this position to be in the range of $70,500 to $97,500 and will depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.
Our goal at SiriusXM is to provide and maintain a work environment that fosters mutual respect, professionalism, and cooperation. SiriusXM is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
The requirements and duties described above may be modified or waived by the Company in its sole discretion without notice.
R-2026-03-40