1

Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Designer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$250 - $4.0K/day

New Village Arts is seeking thoughtful, collaborative, and creative Designers to support the ... sound, props, projection.

... 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Your ideas can impact the interaction, graphic, sound, and haptic experiences used by millions of ... designers, engineers, and executives. Minimum Qualifications Innovative vision for our product ...

Designer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Summary The Designer supports the Design Department by collaborating with Senior Designers and ... sound. * Hand dexterity and eye and hand coordination is critical. * Lifting. Exerting up to 20 ...

Demonstrate increasing technical proficiency, sound judgment, and attention to detail. Essential Skills * At least two to five years of project designer experience within a small to medium-sized firm ...

New

Voice Designer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Voice Designer Location: On-site Fremont, CA, Burlingame, CA, or Seattle, WA Duration: 6 months ... A background in sound design and an enthusiasm for innovative audio design is a must. Job ...

Description The Designer plays a key role in developing furniture plans, specifications, and visual ... Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to client satisfaction.

As an Industrial Designer, you will shape the physical user experience of Platform 2, turning ... Sound judgment in ambiguous situations, including the ability to ask incisive technical and non ...

New

We're looking for brand designers who are excited by that challenge, and who want to play a pivotal ... Touch everything from motion to interaction to sound design. It's not just pixels here.

Job Type Full-time Description The Designer plays a key role in developing furniture plans ... sound judgment, and commitment to client satisfaction. • High level of empathy for client needs ...

Showing results 21-40

Sound Designer information

See California salary details

$64.1K

$82.7K

$100.2K

How much do sound designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 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.

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 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.

What is a sound designer?

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.

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 cities in California are hiring for Sound Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sound Designer job openings:
Infographic showing various Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,735 per year, or $39.8 per hour.

$250 - $4.0K/day

Contractor

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

New Village Arts is seeking thoughtful, collaborative, and creative Designers to support the artistic vision of our productions and events.This posting is intended as a general hiring pool for design roles that may include, but are not limited to, scenic, lighting, costume, sound, props, projection...