Sound Designer Day Rates
Current market rates for freelance Sound Designers across all regions
Global Average Rates
25th Percentile
$420
Per day
Median (50th)
$525
Per day
Up 5% from last quarter
75th Percentile
$630
Per day
These statistics are based on 191 data points collected within the past 30 days. The percentiles help you understand the range of rates: 25% of freelancers charge below the 25th percentile, while 25% charge above the 75th percentile.
Historical Trend
| Time Period | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | $436 | $525 | $614 |
| Q4 2024 | $425 | $512 | $599 |
| Q3 2024 | $410 | $494 | $578 |
| Q2 2024 | $396 | $477 | $558 |
| Q1 2024 | $386 | $465 | $544 |
| Q4 2023 | $371 | $448 | $524 |
| Q3 2023 | $362 | $437 | $511 |
| Q2 2023 | $352 | $424 | $496 |
Sound Designer Rates by Region
US (West Coast)
US (East Coast)
Asia (Developed)
Asia (Developing)
Remote (Global)
About Sound Designer Roles
Sound Designers create and manipulate audio elements to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact of visual content.
Key Responsibilities
- Sound effects creation
- Audio editing
- Foley design
- Ambience creation
- Audio mixing
- Sound library management
- Audio delivery and mastering
Required Skills
- Audio editing
- Sound design
- Mixing
- Recording techniques
- Audio processing
- Musical knowledge
- Technical troubleshooting
Common Tools
Pro Tools Logic Pro Ableton Live Adobe Audition Izotope RX Sound libraries Field recorders
Experience Levels
J
Junior Level (0-3 years)
Basic sound editing, library management, assisting senior designers, and learning workflows.
M
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Independent sound design projects, mixing, and creative audio solutions.
S
Senior Level (7+ years)
Lead sound designer on major projects, audio supervision, and creative direction.