Career profile · SOC ESC-C2108DFD

acoustical engineer

Acoustical engineers study and apply the science of sound to various applications. They work in a wide range of areas including the consultation of the acoustics and elements affecting the transmission of sound in spaces for performances or recording activities. They can also consult on the levels of noise contamination for those activities that require compliance with standards on that matter.

acoustical engineer acoustical engineers study and apply the science of sound to various applications. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include acoustical engineering, engineering principles, acoustics, engineering processes, audio technology.

AI exposure
5.0/10
automation risk

Pay in the UK

UK: median £48,776 a year for Engineering professionals n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)

Middle half of full-time jobs: £39,653 to £61,717 a year

UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2129). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)

Pay in India (occupation group)

Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only acoustical engineer, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.

Urban India
₹42,717 a month
Rural India
₹30,424 a month
All India
₹38,466 a month

Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report

Top skills

acoustical engineering engineering principles acoustics engineering processes audio technology prevent undesired changes to sound design adjust engineering designs perform scientific research perform soundchecks technically design a sound system

Frequently asked questions

What does acoustical engineer do?

Acoustical engineers study and apply the science of sound to various applications. They work in a wide range of areas including the consultation of the acoustics and elements affecting the transmission of sound in spaces for performances or recording activities. They can also consult on the levels of noise contamination for those activities that require compliance with standards on that matter.

What skills does acoustical engineer need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include acoustical engineering, engineering principles, acoustics, engineering processes, audio technology, prevent undesired changes to sound design. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace acoustical engineer?

Our AI-durability model gives acoustical engineer a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.

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