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Freelance Sound Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AKA NYC Limited

Senior Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Mentor junior designers, interns, and freelancers while fostering a collaborative creative ... Sound like a good fit? We'd love to hear from you! Please apply through our website. No phone calls ...

Apply Early

Brex

Senior Motion Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$147K - $187K/yr

Deep experience with tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Figma, and sound design ... Experience directing vendors or freelance motion designers * Fluency in 3D animation or ...

Hovercraft

Creative Technologist (Freelance)

You'll work closely with our tech team, tech directors, designers and producers to build ... Familiarity with AV systems integration and industry standards (projectors, LED walls, sound ...

The Banner

Visuals Director

Baltimore, MD · On-site

Oversee the commission and direct freelance photographers, illustrators, designers, and other ... Curiosity, sound editorial judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning.

The Banner

Visuals Director

Baltimore, MD

Oversee the commission and direct freelance photographers, illustrators, designers, and other ... Curiosity, sound editorial judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Amazon

Sr. Designer, Device Brand Studio

New York, NY · On-site

Must be able to effectively lead junior creative staff members, vendors, freelancers, and ... sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit ...

Amazon

Sr. Designer, Device Brand Studio

New York, NY · On-site

Must be able to effectively lead junior creative staff members, vendors, freelancers, and ... sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit ...

The Banner

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD

... designers and audience teams to make stories more compelling, more accessible and more visually ... Assign staff and freelance photographers, illustrators and visual contributors for breaking news ...

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Freelance Sound Designer information

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$47

$132

How much do freelance sound designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance sound designer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Sound Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Sound Designer, you need a solid understanding of audio engineering principles, sound editing, and music theory, often supported by a degree in audio production or related experience. Mastery of digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Ableton Live, as well as familiarity with sound libraries and plug-ins, is typically required. Strong creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication with clients help set you apart in this competitive field. These skills ensure high-quality sound production that meets client needs and enhances the impact of media projects.

What are some common challenges freelance sound designers face when working with remote clients?

Freelance sound designers working remotely often encounter challenges such as communicating creative ideas clearly without in-person feedback, managing multiple client expectations across different time zones, and ensuring high-quality audio delivery despite varying technical setups. Building strong relationships through timely updates and clear documentation helps mitigate misunderstandings. Additionally, freelancers must be proactive in resolving technical issues and maintaining organized project files to streamline collaboration with clients and other team members.

What is the difference between Freelance Sound Designer vs Freelance Audio Editor?

AspectFreelance Sound DesignerFreelance Audio Editor
CredentialsOften requires a degree or certification in sound design, audio engineering, or related fieldsTypically needs proficiency in audio editing software; formal education varies
Work EnvironmentWorks on creating original sound effects, soundscapes, and audio concepts for mediaFocuses on editing, cleaning, and assembling audio recordings
Employer & Industry UsageHired by film, game, and media production companies for sound creationHired for post-production tasks in various media projects

While both roles involve working with audio, a Freelance Sound Designer creates original sounds and audio concepts, whereas a Freelance Audio Editor specializes in refining and assembling existing recordings. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

What does a freelance sound designer do?

A freelance sound designer creates, edits, and mixes audio elements for a variety of media, such as films, video games, advertisements, and theater productions. Their work involves recording and manipulating sounds to enhance the overall experience and narrative. As freelancers, they typically work on a project basis, collaborating with directors, producers, and other creative professionals. Their responsibilities can include creating sound effects, designing ambient sounds, and ensuring that audio quality meets the project's needs.
More about Freelance Sound Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Sound Designer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Sound Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sound Designer jobs? The most popular types of Sound Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Sound Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Sound Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Sound Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Sound Designer jobs are:
Freelance Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Sound Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 17% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 37% Temporary, 23% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Senior Designer

Senior Designer

AKA NYC Limited

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

Senior Designer
AKA NYC is a global, award-winning, full-service advertising agency specializing in theater & live entertainment, arts & culture, attractions & destinations, and sports & leisure. We are content-forward and data-fueled with a proven record of delivering cross-platform campaigns that get results. 
We are proud to partner with some of the most iconic names in entertainment, culture, and live experiences. Our client roster includes Broadway’s biggest shows, world-renowned institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, vibrant attractions such as The New York Botanical Garden, and dynamic sports organizations like the Harlem Globetrotters. From the magic of live theatre to the energy of stadiums and the wonder of cultural landmarks, we craft campaigns that connect audiences with real experiences – providing real stories, real emotions and real connections.
We’re looking for a Senior Designer to join our creative team. This role is ideal for a highly collaborative designer with strong conceptual skills, exceptional craft, and experience leading creative across multiple platforms. The Senior Designer will partner closely with Creative Directors and Art Directors to develop impactful campaigns while mentoring junior team members and helping drive creative excellence across the studio.
What You’ll Do
  • Lead the development and execution of visually compelling campaign creative across multiple clients and platforms
  • Collaborate with Creative Directors and Art Directors to shape campaign concepts and creative direction
  • Design assets across digital, social, print, experiential, and motion-based platforms
  • Contribute original ideas and strategic thinking during brainstorms and concept development
  • Partner cross-functionally with strategy, media, client services, and production teams
  • Mentor junior designers, interns, and freelancers while fostering a collaborative creative environment
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring quality, consistency, and production readiness

What We’re Looking For
  • 4–6 years of professional design experience within an agency, studio, entertainment, media, or related creative environment
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking, branding, typography, campaign development, and multi-platform execution
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Familiarity with After Effects, Figma, motion design, or presentation design is a plus
  • Strong understanding of visual storytelling, entertainment marketing, and audience engagement
  • Excellent communication, presentation, organization, and collaboration skills in a fast-paced environment
  • Experience mentoring junior designers and a passion for entertainment, theater, arts, culture, and live experiences preferred

WHAT WE OFFER:
The salary range for this position in New York, NY is $80,000 to $100,000 per year.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience. A discretionary bonus may be provided as part of the total compensation package. AKA also offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and balance, including:
  • Comprehensive healthcare & dental – 100% employer-paid for employees
  • Generous PTO policy, plus ½-day Summer Fridays to make the most of sunny days
  • Hybrid work model – a balance of in-office collaboration (minimum three days per week) and flexibility
  • Continuous growth & learning – annual Training & Development fund to sharpen your skills
  • Financial wellness perks – student loan repayment or tuition assistance based on tenure
  • Paid parental leave – up to 12 weeks to support growing families
  • Sabbatical opportunities – recharge and return inspired with paid time off for long-term employees
  • A pet-friendly office – because great ideas come with great company

A Note on Diversity and Inclusion
At AKA we believe our team is at its best when we reflect the diversity of our community. We strive to hire and cultivate the best talent so when recruiting we work to actively reach and engage a wide community of people. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We believe a diverse team makes us smarter, more creative and helps us better understand the needs of the audiences we target with our campaigns.
AKA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. 
Sound like a good fit? We’d love to hear from you! Please apply through our website. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

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