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Audio Programmers are skilled coders specialized in implementing audio and music into video game engines, creating plugins, and software development. Programmers, IT, and other technology industry jobs are at an all-time high. Between 2020 through 2029 Computer and Information Technology jobs expect to see a much faster than average growth of 22%. The median salary of an audio programmer is $87,000. Top earners make $103,000 per year in the United States.
While our industry continues to be at a standstill, thinking about career path changes or continuing education is essential. We are SoundGirls, and SoundGirls MUST learn how to adapt to changes, by any means necessary. If you’ve been thinking about learning a new skill while staying in your industry, here are steps I am currently taking as well to become an Audio Programmer.
With any programming job, one must know how to code. There are many different programming languages. Audio Programmers are mostly skilled in C/C+, Java, and MAX/MSP. Audio Programmers are also proficient in APIs like Miles, FMOD, and Wwise. There are many Coding Bootcamps online or locally near you. FREE coding courses are Code Academy, Khan Academy, and Up Skill just to name a few. There are many self-taught programmers but formal education is favored for high paid salary positions. Having an undergrad in recording arts/audio production with a graduate degree in Computer Science (CS) is common. Also, online coding boot camps offer a certification of completion for a fraction of the cost of a Bachelors or Masters degree.
Building your portfolio is essential for any career path. Create work that demonstrates your technical knowledge of the principles of sound and audio manipulation, and as well as your skills as a programmer. Audio programmers are a piece of a larger puzzle, dive into other technology/coding skills to show your strengths.
Just like the entertainment industry and many other professional industries, networking is very important. Social media has greatly improved how we network daily. Find forums, Facebook groups, and other websites where you can meet like-minded peers and hopefully a mentor.
Audio Programming is one of the infinite technology jobs that are out there. With our current skill set as well as continuing education, an audio programmer can transition into Front End Developer, Technical Writer, Software Developer, QA Analyst, and Database Administrator. Here are a few more resources to check out.
Article by SoundGirl: Alyasia Muhammad-Turner
Another great article by SoundGirls: The Positive Side of Negative Visualization
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The mission of SoundGirls.org is to inspire and empower the next generation of women in audio. Our mission is to create a supportive community for women in audio and music production, providing the tools, knowledge, and support to further their careers. SoundGirls.Org was formed in 2013 by veteran live sound engineers Karrie Keyes and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato and operates under the Fiscal Sponsorship of The California Women’s Music Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. In 2012, Karrie and Michelle participated in the “Women of Professional Concert Sound” panel at the AES Conference in San Francisco. The panel was hosted by the Women’s Audio Mission (WAM) and moderated by WAM founder Terri Winston. Terri brought together five women working in live and broadcast audio. The groundbreaking panel (which also included Jeri Palumbo, Claudia Engelhart and Deanne Franklin), provided young women and men a glimpse into life on the road, tips and advice, and a Q & A with the panelists. More importantly though, was how incredibly powerful the experience was for the panelists. We had all been in the business for 20 years or more, yet most of us had never met before that day and within minutes we bonded like long-lost sisters. We were struck by how similar our experiences, work ethics, and passions were and wondered why our paths had never crossed and how our careers would have been different had we been there to support each other through the years. Each of us are strong on our own, but together we were even stronger and a powerful force. We were empowered. Each of us had been asked hundreds of times in our careers: Are there other women doing sound? How did you get into sound? How would a young woman go about getting into sound? Through creating SoundGirls.Org, we hope to establish a place for women working in professional audio to come for support and advice, to share our success and failures, our joys and frustrations, and for empowerment and inspiration.
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