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Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Summary We are looking for a versatile and experienced Principal Sound Designer to join our audio team to craft and implement exceptional sound design. This role is crucial in support of defining an ...

USC Gould School of Law

Sound Supervisor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Support sound design students and guest sound designers in implementing sound designs for School of Dramatic Arts productions * Oversee the operation and maintenance of SDA sound design laboratories ...

TrueShort

AI Music Composer & Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Working closely with the Showrunner, AI Filmmakers, Editors, and our Sound Designer, you'll help shape each series through music that feels cohesive, memorable, and production-ready. This role sits ...

New Village Arts Inc

Designer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

... sound, props, projection, and other production design disciplines . Designers at NVA play an ... essential role in shaping the visual, auditory, and atmospheric world of a production while working ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Strong problem-solving skills and sound design judgment. Leadership Skills (Senior Designer) * Demonstrated ability to lead design teams and guide design decision-making. * Mentorship and coaching ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Strong problem-solving skills and sound design judgment. Leadership Skills (Senior Designer) * Demonstrated ability to lead design teams and guide design decision-making. * Mentorship and coaching ...

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All JobsSound Designer JobsSound Designer Jobs in California

Sound Designer information

See California salary details

$64.1K

$82.7K

$100.2K

How much do sound designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for sound designer in California is $82,735.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $91,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Sound Designer, you need a strong background in audio engineering, acoustics, and music theory, often supported by a relevant degree or professional training. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and industry-standard sound libraries is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication enable standout collaboration with directors and production teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing immersive and high-quality soundscapes that enhance the overall impact of media projects.

Is sound design a good career?

Sound design is a viable career for those interested in audio production, requiring skills in audio editing, mixing, and familiarity with tools like Pro Tools or Ableton Live. It offers opportunities in film, video games, advertising, and theater, often involving project-based work and collaboration with creative teams.

What are some common challenges Sound Designers face when collaborating with other departments on a project?

Sound Designers often collaborate closely with directors, game developers, or video editors, which can present challenges such as aligning creative vision and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders. Balancing technical constraints, like file formats or hardware limitations, with artistic goals is a frequent hurdle. Effective communication and flexibility are essential, as last-minute script changes or edits may require rapid sound adjustments. Building strong relationships with other departments helps ensure the final audio fits seamlessly into the overall project.

What are sound designers?

Sound designers are professionals who create, manipulate, and integrate audio elements for various media, such as films, video games, theater, and television. Their responsibilities include recording and editing sound effects, designing ambient sounds, and ensuring that audio enhances the overall experience of a project. Sound designers often work closely with directors, composers, and other production staff to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere. Their expertise contributes significantly to the emotional impact and realism of a production.

How to become a Sound Designer?

To become a sound designer, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in audio engineering, sound design, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio of work, and developing skills with industry-standard software like Pro Tools or Ableton Live are essential steps. Continuous learning and networking within the industry also help advance a career in sound design.

What is the difference between Sound Designer vs Sound Editor?

AspectSound DesignerSound Editor
CredentialsTypically holds a degree in audio production, sound design, or related fieldOften has similar educational background, sometimes with additional editing certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in film, video games, advertising, and multimedia projects, creating original soundscapesPrimarily works in post-production, editing and assembling sound recordings
Industry UsageUsed across entertainment, media, and advertising industriesCommonly employed in film, TV, and video game post-production

While both roles involve working with audio, a Sound Designer creates original sound elements and atmospheres, whereas a Sound Editor focuses on editing and assembling existing audio recordings. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the audio industry.

Do sound designers get paid well?

Sound designers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they generally earn competitive wages. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals working in film, video games, or advertising can earn higher salaries, especially with specialized skills and advanced equipment knowledge.

What does a Sound Designer do?

A Sound Designer creates and manipulates audio elements for various media, including films, video games, and theater productions. They use specialized software and equipment to develop sound effects, atmospheres, and audio cues that enhance the overall experience. Strong listening skills, creativity, and knowledge of audio editing tools are essential for this role.

What Is a Sound Designer Job?

A sound designer works to create and assemble sound effects for a video or audio production. Depending on the medium, you may produce a variety of different audio clips. You typically work closely with the director and other sound technicians to ensure all the audio comes together in a cohesive way and supports the creative goals of the production. As a sound designer, you may source special effects from third parties or find ways to create and record them yourself.

More about Sound Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Sound Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Sound Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Sound Designer jobs in California? For Sound Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sound Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sound Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Sound Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sound Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Sound Designer jobs in CA? For Sound Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sound Designer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $82,735 per year, or $39.8 per hour.

Principal Sound Designer

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Summary
We are looking for a versatile and experienced Principal Sound Designer to join our audio team to craft and implement exceptional sound design. 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 inspire and evangelize the team in creating outstanding and compelling sound design. You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with some of the greatest developers in the industry on an exciting, immersive, narrative AAA game.
Core Responsibilities
  • Create exceptional and immersive sound design using both commercial and proprietary tools, software, and source material.
  • Work closely with the Audio Director to help define and execute the project's overall audio vision.
  • Collaborate with engineers and fellow sound designers to build, implement, and scale audio pipelines.
  • Proactively anticipate project needs and independently develop and implement solutions.
  • Optimize audio assets and recommend workflow improvements to enhance efficiency and scalability.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex audio issues across multiple disciplines.
  • Effectively communicate technical and creative ideas through clear written and verbal communication.
  • Manage time independently and drive complex, multi-phase initiatives through to completion.

Core Qualifications
  • 8+ years of professional experience in the games industry as a sound designer, with some senior experience on shipped AAA titles.
  • Proven track record of owning and delivering complex audio systems on shipped titles.
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating with engineering and cross-disciplinary teams on large-scale projects.
  • Strong background in recording high-quality source material and pushing it through to final asset implementation.
  • Expertise with AAA game engines and deep knowledge of audio implementation workflows.
  • Advanced proficiency in Wwise and real-time audio systems.
  • Background in mentoring team members and sharing both technical and creative expertise.

Key Attributes
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a strong emphasis on cross-discipline partnership.
  • Ability to inspire and elevate others through leadership, mentorship, and craftsmanship.
  • Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of solving problems with minimal direction.
  • Adaptable and responsive to feedback and evolving project requirements.

Plus if
  • Experience contributing during early development and R&D phases.
  • Experience designing and improving custom audio tools and workflows for large scale open-world games.
  • Scripting experience in Python, MEL, or similar languages.
  • Passion for video games, storytelling, cinema, and a strong understanding of game audio.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.
  • The base pay range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

About Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures is a media company creating new IP across all platforms and for all formats. Absurd Ventures is building narrative worlds, creating characters, and writing stories for a variety of genres, without regard to medium, to be produced for live-action and animation; video games and other interactive content; books, graphic novels, and scripted podcasts.

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