Sound Mixer Middle Class Job

[Angelo Waldron]

Obama just said that during speech at DreamWorks.

[studiomprd]

if your cell phone stops working, you know Obama is in the 'hood!

[VASI]

Exc taxes or inc taxes?

[Jesse Flaitz]

Assuming we are putting classes specifically by income, I'd agree with him.  I think most established sound mixers are between $75,000 - $150,000/year, some make more, some less.  Sounds middle class to me.

[TomBoisseau]

Assuming we are putting classes specifically by income, I'd agree with him.  I think most established sound mixers are between $75,000 - $150,000/year, some make more, some less.  Sounds middle class to me.

While most of us would like to think of ourselves as "middle class", it is difficult category to accurately define. That being said, the "median" income in the USA is about $30,000 a year. Most of us here should consider ourselves very blessed! It's a good time of year to remember that and to reach out to others in need.

Tom

[johnpaul215]

Just remember that when some Craigslist producer tries to hire you for minimum wage.

[Jesse Flaitz]

Income levels in the US are defined rather absurdly IMO.  A house hold income of $23,000 is considered the poverty line for a family four.  How a family of four could live anywhere on $23,000/year boggles my mind.  Especially given the average cost to raise a child to 18 is almost $250,000.

 

I made more money today doing 6 hours of interviews than I used to make in two weeks at a warehouse full time moving 2,000 car and truck tires/day from one place to another.  Don't think for a second I'm not thankful for that, but at the same time sometimes it's hard to understand.

[RPSharman]

I recently visited a friend shooting a Walmart commercial. 10 days. On day one they brought out trays of food and drinks, but were immediately told by Walmart managers everything must stay by the trucks. They didn't want Walmart employees seeing the treatment others receive at work.

I pointed out he'd make more on that commercial than what most employees there were making in 6 months.

A single person earning $100k per year is in the top 5% of earners in the US. If you're married, $150k puts you on the top 20% of households.

[Henchman]

Anybody who thinks that what we do isn't middleclass, should try working a real job for a couple of weeks.

They'll probably come back with a much better perspective, and appreciate what they do and make for a living.

[Angelo Waldron]

Sound mixer not a real job.

[studiomprd]

See,  Obama is looking out for us, specifically!

[Philip Perkins]

My wife confronts the diffs every day and every paycheck.  On commercials I frequently have days where my gross income is as much as she gets for a few weeks of daily working and commuting.  In my area, the income discrepencies between those with good-paying jobs and those with what now are "normal" paying jobs (for instance tech workers vs service sector folks) is tearing the city apart.  A sound mixer that is working regularly, day hire or on a show, is in the current scheme of things a very highly paid worker.  Count your blessings, people.

 

philp

[Jan McL]

Solidly middle class, if on the one hand blue collar. On the other hand, entrepreneurs. A nice hybrid.

[al mcguire]

Today might be a good day to say how thankful we all are that we get to make a good living doing what we love to do.

[ccsnd]

What kind of home do you live in?  What kind of income do you make?  Do you ever think about money?

 

I'm willing to bet nobody in the world that does this job has the answers of - A mansion, I lost count, and no.

 

 

classes are distinguished by more than how much of an income you make, but more quality of life.  There is a huge difference between high class and middle class, and not that much of a difference between middle class and lower class. This huge difference is why the middle class gets split into 3 sections lower middle, middle, and upper middle.

 

most middle class people don't think their are upper class, but most lower class people think they are middle class.  No upper class person thinks they are middle class.

 

I can almost promise that EVERY person who does location sound recording is at most middle class.  I would guess more are lower middle class or below (without college education).

 

I'll make somewhere between 65-70k this year.  due to my student loan debt and other variables, I would still consider my current situation to be lower middle class.

[Simon Hayter]

Today might be a good day to say how thankful we all are that we get to make a good living doing what we love to do.

+1 I do love my job!

[Henchman]

Sound mixer not a real job.

No matter how many hours I spend at work, i am thankful I don't have a "real" job.

I've worked real jobs.

Factory assembly lines, warehouses, hard labor, cubicle phone tech service, to name a few. Real work. Low pay.

No. What we do in this industry isn't a real job. Wether it's location sound or audio-post.

I do agree that you guys on set work way harder than us guys on the dub-stage though.

[old school]

+1 I do love my job!

 

 

Today might be a good day to say how thankful we all are that we get to make a good living doing what we love to do.

I am thankful I love what I do and those I get to work with. The money is what it is and has always been an afterthought. It really matters little what so called class income puts you in. What matters is what kind of person, father, mother, neighbor, crew member you are. I hope everyone finds some time for reflection, and time with your loved ones.

CrewC

 

ps I love Simon's typo, he doesn't seem like a Hayter.... Cheers.

[taylormadeaudio]

I like the direction this thread has taken -- it seems as a whole we are generally thankful for our line of work -- both in terms of financial compensation and personal fulfillment.

Personally, I still struggle at times to make ends meet (currently experiencing this) but I also realize my "problems" are largely self-imposed, and pale in comparison to what MOST PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET face throughout the entirety of their lives.

We truly are blessed, and recognizing that is telling of the nature of our collective character. I'm proud to be a part of this community, despite it's shortcomings. We have real opportunity... more than most.

Yeah, thankful

~tt

[George Flores]

getting paid to do what you like to do.  making a pretty good wage plus some rental.  overtime without asking for it.  medical coverage too.  Yes, some days are tough and unfair and some jobs fall through, but how can one not be thankful every day to be working as a middle class sound tech. G

[OmahaAudio]

Work as a freelancer can be sporadic. You might have to do more than one thing to make enough money. Still beats a "real" job.

[old school]

My bad. I just realized Simon Hayes and Simon Hayter are different men. Sorry. I doubt either of you are Haters...

CrewC

[Wandering Ear]

Today might be a good day to say how thankful we all are that we get to make a good living doing what we love to do.

So true.

[Glen Trew]

Like a lot of professions, particularly in arts-related professions, the entire range of lower class thru upper class can be found in the film and video sound profession. But, no matter where we are in that range, I believe the vast majority of us are very thankful to do what we do.

 

gt

[mikewest]

I've just spent 4 days shooting on dairy farms here in New Zealand.

I have witnessed how hard people work in all weathers in mud, cow poo and long hours.

 

I have been blessed by a 47 year career of travel all over the world, hotels and fascinating people.

 

I love my job and the tools I work with.

 

What more can I say!!

 

mike