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Musical Acoustics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Acoustics Engineer - Airpods

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Apple has assembled a world-class Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity and appreciate our products without disturbance from noise. In ...

Apple

Acoustics Engineer - Airpods

Cupertino, CA

$181K - $318K/yr

Apple has assembled a world-class Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity and appreciate our products without disturbance from noise. In ...

Apple

Acoustic Engineer - AirPods

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Apple has assembled a world-class Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity and appreciate our products without disturbance from noise. In ...

Apple

Acoustic Engineer - AirPods

Cupertino, CA

$147K - $272K/yr

Apple has assembled a world-class Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity and appreciate our products without disturbance from noise. In ...

NV5

Acoustical Consultant

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$90K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in acoustics, audio/music engineering, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, or physics including relevant classes or a degree concentration in acoustics or vibration ...

NV5

Acoustical Consultant

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$90K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in acoustics, audio/music engineering, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, or physics including relevant classes or a degree concentration in acoustics or vibration ...

L-Acoustics

Executive Assistant

Nashville, TN · Hybrid

Executive Personal Assistant L-Acoustics is the world leader in premium professional sound systems for live events. From world-class artists on tour, to major music festivals in every genre, to ...

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Musical Acoustics information

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How much do musical acoustics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for musical acoustics in the United States is $36.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $47.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges musical acousticians face when collaborating with instrument makers and performers?

Musical acousticians often work closely with instrument makers and performers to enhance instrument design and sound quality. One common challenge is bridging the gap between scientific measurements and subjective perceptions of sound, as performers may describe tonal qualities differently from how they are measured. Effective communication and mutual understanding are essential to translate technical findings into practical improvements. Additionally, acousticians must balance technical recommendations with artistic preferences and manufacturing constraints, requiring flexibility and collaborative problem-solving.

What is musical acoustics?

Musical acoustics is the scientific study of how sound is produced, transmitted, and perceived in the context of music. It explores the physical properties of musical instruments, the acoustics of performance spaces, and how humans interpret musical sounds. This field combines physics, engineering, music theory, and psychology to understand the mechanics behind musical tones, harmony, resonance, and timbre. Researchers and professionals in musical acoustics may work on improving instrument design, optimizing concert hall acoustics, or analyzing the perception of musical sounds.

Are acousticians in demand?

Acousticians specializing in musical acoustics are in demand in industries such as audio engineering, concert hall design, and product development. They often require strong technical skills, knowledge of acoustical measurement tools, and relevant certifications, with employment opportunities available in research institutions, consulting firms, and entertainment venues.

What is the difference between Musical Acoustics vs Audio Engineer?

AspectMusical AcousticsAudio Engineer
CredentialsDegree in acoustics, physics, or music technologyDegree or certification in audio engineering or sound design
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, concert hallsRecording studios, live events, broadcasting
Industry UsageSound quality in musical instruments, concert acousticsSound recording, mixing, live sound reinforcement

Musical Acoustics focuses on the science of sound in musical contexts, including instrument design and concert hall acoustics. In contrast, an Audio Engineer specializes in recording, mixing, and producing sound for music and media. While both roles require knowledge of sound principles, Musical Acoustics is more research-oriented, whereas Audio Engineering is more practical and production-focused.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Musical Acoustician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Musical Acoustician, a solid background in physics, mathematics, and music theory, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework, is essential. Familiarity with audio analysis software, acoustic measurement tools, and simulation systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective communication skills help translate scientific findings into practical applications for musicians, instrument makers, or architects. These competencies are crucial for designing, testing, and improving musical instruments or spaces to achieve optimal sound quality.

What jobs pay $400 an hour?

In the field of musical acoustics, highly specialized consultants, sound engineers, or acoustical consultants with extensive experience and advanced certifications can command hourly rates around $400. These roles often involve expert analysis, custom solutions, or high-profile projects in recording studios, concert halls, or research environments. Such positions typically require advanced degrees and a strong portfolio of work.

What are the career options in acoustics?

Careers in acoustics include roles such as acoustic engineer, sound designer, audio technician, and research scientist, often requiring knowledge of sound measurement, signal processing, and acoustical modeling. These professionals work in industries like music production, environmental noise control, architectural design, and product development, frequently using tools like MATLAB or CAD software. Advanced positions may require a master's or doctoral degree in acoustics, physics, or engineering.

What can I do with a musicology degree?

A musicology degree prepares individuals for careers in research, academia, music criticism, archival work, and arts administration. Graduates often work as musicologists, educators, archivists, or in roles that require strong analytical, research, and communication skills, sometimes utilizing music notation and analysis software. Additional certifications or advanced degrees can expand career opportunities in specialized fields like ethnomusicology or historical musicology.
More about Musical Acoustics jobs
What cities are hiring for Musical Acoustics jobs? Cities with the most Musical Acoustics job openings:
What states have the most Musical Acoustics jobs? States with the most job openings for Musical Acoustics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Musical Acoustics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Musical Acoustics jobs are:
Musical Acoustics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Musical Acoustics job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, 48% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,503 per year, or $36.3 per hour.
Acoustic Engineer - iPad, Mac & Home Acoustics

Acoustic Engineer - iPad, Mac & Home Acoustics

Apple

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 662 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

At Apple, extraordinary ideas have a way of quickly becoming extraordinary products, services and customer experiences, and sound is an essential and compelling facet. Apple Acoustics is a world-class Acoustics team that enables people to communicate and experience music with greater clarity and deeper emotion. We work with the utmost attention to detail, directly impacting the design of products that millions of people around the world love!..Our iPad, Mac & Home Acoustics team owns the audio experience across some of Apple's most iconic product families: from the MacBook you compose music on, to the iPad you FaceTime with, to the HomePod filling your living room with spatial audio. We are a team of engineers, tinkerers, and audio lovers who operate at the intersection of hardware, software, and acoustic design. If you're someone who obsesses over how things sound, we want to hear from you.
As an Acoustic Engineer on this team, you will take innovative audio concepts from early ideation all the way to mass production, shaping how millions of people experience sound every day. You'll own acoustic design and integration across product lines, ensuring the overall audio experience is second to none. This involves deep collaboration with Transducer Design, Product Design, Electrical Engineering, Software, Tuning, Operations, and Reliability teams. Through simulation, prototyping, tuning, and validation, you will push the boundaries of what's possible in compact acoustic systems. Expected international travel is approximately 10%.
Passion for audio and fundamental knowledge of acoustic theoryEagerness to take on new challenges with personal ownership, learn new skills, and drive tasks from start to finish independentlyThrive in cross-functional collaboration, communicating acoustic requirements, assessing trade-offs, and thinking strategically about riskExcellent written and interpersonal skillsMS or equivalent work experience, preferably specializing in acoustics10% international travel
5+ years in an acoustics engineering role with proven success prototyping, producing, and shipping high-volume consumer electronics with overseas manufacturersKnowledge of electrodynamic transducer design and MEMS, including simulation of transducers and acoustic porting (lumped parameter, FEM/BEM, COMSOL)Hands-on experience integrating speakers and microphones, including designing for water, dust, and chemical resistancePassionate about audio feature development and creative sound design, e.g. beamforming, spatial audio, EQ/filter design, compression/limiting, and using tools like Max MSP and Logic Pro Skilled in acoustic measurement and data acquisition (Klippel, SoundCheck, Audio Precision, or similar), audio signal processing, and 3D CADSkilled in high-level programming (MATLAB or Python)

What Apple employees say

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Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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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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