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Game Audio Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

This role is crucial in support of defining an iconic soundscape for our unique and innovative open world game. As a Principal, your mission is to use your creative and technical audio skills to ...

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Game Audio information

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$7

$20

$37

How much do game audio jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for game audio in California is $20.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $23.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is game audio?

Game Audio refers to all the sound elements used in video games, including music, sound effects, voice acting, and ambient sounds. Professionals in game audio design, create, and implement these sounds to enhance gameplay, create atmosphere, and support storytelling. Game audio specialists work closely with game developers and designers to ensure the sound fits seamlessly with the game's visuals and mechanics. Their work is essential for creating an immersive and engaging player experience.

What are game audio jobs?

Game audio jobs include work designing video game sound effects, composing original scores or incidental music for games, and producing audio for games. As a sound effects artist, your duties are to assess the visual composition of the game and design and produce sounds based on the action. Composer’s responsibilities also include watching the visual output of the game, but their goal is to compose a soundtrack that fits the mood of the game. Composers may work closely with lead designers or creative directors. Producers typically work with the composer or music director and the sound engineer to ensure that they record the audio properly and program it into the game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game audio professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Audio professional, you need strong musical and sound design skills, a solid understanding of audio engineering, and often a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), middleware like FMOD or Wwise, and game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication are vital soft skills for integrating audio seamlessly with other game elements. These skills ensure immersive, high-quality audio experiences that enhance gameplay and player engagement.

How does a game audio professional typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

Game Audio professionals work closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to ensure that music, sound effects, and dialogue are integrated seamlessly into the game. Collaboration often involves attending development meetings, iterating on feedback, syncing audio assets with gameplay mechanics, and troubleshooting technical issues with the development team. Clear communication and adaptability are key, as priorities can shift quickly based on playtesting results or design changes. This teamwork ensures that the audio enhances the overall player experience and supports the game's vision.

What is the difference between Game Audio vs Sound Designer?

AspectGame AudioSound Designer
CredentialsAudio production, music, sound design certificationsAudio, music, sound design certifications
Work EnvironmentVideo game studios, interactive mediaFilm, TV, advertising, interactive media
Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming industryBroadly across entertainment and media
Search & ComparisonFocus on interactive sound for gamesFocus on sound for various media

Game Audio specialists focus on creating sound effects, music, and audio assets specifically for video games, often working within interactive environments. Sound Designers have a broader role, working on sound effects and audio for films, TV, and other media, but may also work in gaming. While both roles require similar skills and certifications, Game Audio professionals specialize in interactive sound design tailored for gameplay experiences.

Are game audio jobs in high demand?

Game audio jobs are in steady demand as the gaming industry continues to grow, requiring skilled audio designers, sound engineers, and composers. Professionals with experience in digital audio workstations, sound design, and interactive audio are sought after, especially in larger studios and independent development teams.

How to become a game audio engineer?

To become a game audio engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in audio engineering, music production, or a related field, along with experience in sound design, editing, and mixing. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs) and game development tools like Wwise or FMOD is essential, and building a portfolio of game audio projects can improve job prospects.

How to get a job in game audio?

To get a job in game audio, develop skills in sound design, editing, and mixing using tools like Pro Tools or Wwise. Building a portfolio of your work, gaining experience through internships or freelance projects, and understanding game development processes can improve your chances. A background in music, audio engineering, or related fields is often beneficial.
More about Game Audio jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Game Audio jobs?

Cities in California with the most Game Audio job openings:

Game Audio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Audio job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,990 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Core Audio Software Engineer, Audio & Media Technologies

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Apple
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 680 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Appleexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Imagine what you could do at Apple! Everyday, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Do you bring passion and dedication to your job? If so, we are looking for individuals like you. The Media, Graphics & Compute Tech (MGCT) group is at the center of audio, video, and graphics in Apple's innovative products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV and VisionPro.
MGCT's Audio team provides the audio foundation for various high profile features like Game Audio, Siri, FaceTime, media capture, playback and API's for third party developers to enrich our platforms. The team is looking for talented engineers who are passionate about building audio features and products for millions of customers and care about overall user experience. You will revolutionize the audio experience for game and future audio technologies.
Description
As a Core Audio System Software engineer, you'll be responsible for developing and debugging audio system software for all of Apple's platforms. Audio software stack on Apple devices has a considerable complexity and a rich feature set in the way that audio is routed through the system and integrates various hardware pieces. You will work across the full spectrum of media experiences and audio experiences - from FaceTime calls and Siri interactions to media playback - across a wide range of connected accessories including Bluetooth (AirPods, third-party headphones), CarPlay, and USB audio devices. The position will involve developing and improving the software components that are responsible for both running the audio hardware and exposing audio features and capabilities upwards through the system. The work involves close collaboration with hardware driver teams and various Apple technologies including Siri, AirPods, FaceTime and AirPlay.
Minimum Qualifications
Excellent software design/programming skills in C++
Solid understanding of object-oriented methodologies, multi-threaded programming and operating systems concepts
Experience with digital audio programming and solid debugging skills
At least two+ years of experience working with a team and software company, highlighting their ability to collaborate and operate within a professional software development environment.
BS or MS in CS, EE, or related degree
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with Bluetooth accessories is a plus
Experience working with embedded audio in devices like smartphones (Samsung, Pixel), tablets, or Chromebooks would be a plus
Experience with core SW features like Telephony audio and/or Bluetooth audio in a plus
Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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