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Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Role * We're looking for native US English speaking university students to join our AI audio training pipeline as Freelance Audio Contributors. This is your chance to be on the front lines ...

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Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer information

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$29.5K

$84.5K

$171.5K

How much do freelance audio mastering engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance audio mastering engineer in the United States is $84,456.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer vs Freelance Audio Mixing Engineer?

AspectFreelance Audio Mastering EngineerFreelance Audio Mixing Engineer
CredentialsAudio engineering certifications, mastering expertiseAudio engineering certifications, mixing skills
Work EnvironmentPost-production, mastering studios, remote workRecording studios, post-production, remote work
Industry UsageMusic, film, broadcast, mastering housesMusic, film, broadcast, mixing projects
Search & ComparisonOften compared for audio post-production rolesOften compared for initial music production roles

While both roles involve audio post-production, a Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer focuses on finalizing tracks for distribution, ensuring optimal sound quality and consistency. A Freelance Audio Mixing Engineer, on the other hand, works on blending individual tracks into a cohesive final mix during the production process. Understanding these differences helps clients choose the right professional for their project stage.

More about Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Audio Mastering Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Audio Mastering Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Audio Mastering Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 18% Full Time, 63% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 72% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,456 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Freelance Audio Engineer

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA

Other

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Freelance Audio Engineer to support AAA video game and linear content production on an as-needed basis. This is an in-person production role embedded within our Santa Monica facility.

The engineer will record, edit, mix, and deliver high-quality audio across multiple active projects, including AAA video games, animated series, advertising campaigns, and marketing content. This role requires technical excellence, calm professionalism with talent and clients in the room, and the ability to manage large volumes of assets across concurrent productions.

This position operates within a fast-paced, high-expectation creative environment where precision, organization, and delivery discipline are critical.

Key Responsibilities

Dialogue Recording & Editorial

  • Record voice talent to broadcast and AAA game standards
  • Engineer client-attended sessions with producers, directors, and executives present
  • Perform detailed dialogue editing, cleanup, conforming, and file prep to technical specifications
  • Ensure tonal consistency across large narrative projects

Mixing & Finishing

  • Mix linear television, advertising, and marketing content
  • Prepare stems and final deliverables to spec for broadcast, streaming, and digital distribution
  • Maintain technical QC standards and meet technical delivery standards

Game Production Support

  • Edit and prepare dialogue assets for interactive implementation
  • Manage large asset counts with strict naming conventions and version control
  • Collaborate with sound design, implementation, and production teams
  • Deliver clean, organized, implementation-ready files

Motion Capture/Sound Stage Recording

  • Record dialogue and production audio on motion capture stages
  • Manage multi-channel wireless microphone workflows
  • Manage RF signal chains in challenging environments
  • Manage gain stages to the highest standards
  • Provide live mixes to relevant stakeholders as needed
  • Coordinate with stage technicians, capture supervisors, and production teams
  • Ensure sync integrity at all times

Operational Discipline

  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously with shifting priorities
  • Maintain impeccable session organization and documentation
  • Hit delivery deadlines without compromising technical quality
  • Troubleshoot technical issues independently and efficiently

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience as an audio engineer
  • Extensive experience recording with clients and talent in the room
  • Proven expertise editing dialogue at a high narrative and technical level
  • Strong mixing experience for linear television and advertising
  • Deep familiarity with broadcast and streaming delivery specifications
  • Experience recording on motion capture stages
  • Proficiency with industry-standard wireless microphone systems
  • Advanced Pro Tools proficiency and session management discipline
  • Demonstrated ability to manage large asset libraries and complex session workflows
  • Strong communication skills and calm, client-facing professionalism

Technical Competencies

  • Dialogue cleanup, restoration, and precision editing
  • Loudness standards compliance (broadcast and streaming)
  • Stem printing and versioning workflows
  • Multi-mic wireless coordination and RF management
  • Sync workflows for performance capture environments
  • Asset naming, metadata tagging, and delivery packaging

Personal Attributes

  • Meticulous and detail-oriented
  • Composed under pressure
  • Efficient without sacrificing craft
  • Organized across multiple concurrent productions
  • Collaborative and production-minded

Work Environment

  • On-site only in Santa Monica, CA
  • Embedded within a AAA production pipeline
  • Client-attended sessions are frequent
  • High confidentiality environment