The music industry is a vast and dynamic field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. While many people are drawn to this industry for their love of music, it’s no secret that compensation is also a major factor for job seekers. Some of the best paying jobs in the music industry require a combination of talent, skill, and hard work. From music producers to concert promoters, there are many roles that can offer substantial salaries and lucrative career paths. In this article, we’ve outlined some of the highest-paying jobs in the music industry and what it takes to succeed in them.
15 Best Paying Jobs in Music Industry
A wide variety of skills and expertise are available as career options in the music industry. This implies that anyone can use their skills to pursue a career in this field, whether it be working directly on the creation of music or supporting musicians in the background.
- Music director
- Music journalist
- Booking agent
- Worship leader
- Sound engineer
- Musician
- Disc jockey
- Electronics Technician
- Music teacher
- Music therapist
- Audiologist
- Voice-over artist
- Audio engineer
- Video engineer
- Speech therapist
1. Music director
National average salary: $31,309 per year
Music directors, also known as conductors, guide symphonies, orchestras, bands, choirs, and other musical ensembles during recording sessions, concerts, and rehearsals. These musicians usually choose the arrangements they perform for audiences with the help of their teams. Some music directors mentor and instruct other music directors, musicians, and students.
2. Music journalist
National average salary: $35,387 per year
In addition to speaking with artists while they are on tour or just after they release new music, music journalists also cover live performances and provide reports from them. In order to help tell tales about bands or specific musicians, they could collaborate with photographers. Journalists covering music are employed by newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media.
3. Booking agent
National average salary: $40,990 per year, plus $4,750 commission
Live entertainment concerts are scheduled by booking agents in collaboration with artists and other performers. They may work on a single show or a full tour. In the film industry, some booking agents are in charge of coordinating with studios to get movies shown at regional theaters and film festivals.
4. Worship leader
National average salary: $41,176 per year
Church music programs are created by worship leaders, who also plan the musical selections for religious services. They pick the musical style as well as the songs to be sung or played in collaboration with top church officials. Worship leaders may themselves sing or perform musical instruments.
5. Sound engineer
National average salary: $41,653 per year
When recording, mixing, and reproducing audio, sound engineers deal with technical aspects and applications of sound. To improve and create the desired sound, sound engineers frequently collaborate with musicians, music producers, and artists.
6. Musician
National average salary: $47,259
A musician can find employment in a wide range of organizations, including recording artist music production associations and advertising firms that create commercial soundtracks. One of the most popular careers for music lovers who have a gift is making and listening to music.
7. Disc jockey
National average salary: $51,423 per year
For radio and online music stations, as well as for the live entertainment sector, a DJ spins tunes and creates playlists. Weddings, birthday parties, clubs, restaurants, and other music and entertainment venues are all frequent settings where they play. DJs can be employed by a municipal, state, or federal radio station or work as independent contractors.
8. Electronics technician
National average salary: $58,135 annually, plus $8,000 overtime pay
Installing, running, and maintaining the electronic equipment used by those in the audio production and broadcasting industries are the responsibilities of electronics technicians. Speakers, amplifiers, sound-mixing boards, dubbing equipment, and recording devices might all fall under this category.
9. Music teacher
National average salary: $66,407 per year
Public and private schools, companies, and music institutes employ music teachers at all levels of education. To instruct pupils on the history, uses, and application of musical works, these experts use music theory and the fundamentals of music appreciation.
10. Music therapist
National average salary: $71,409 per year
In therapy sessions, a music therapist works with patients to improve their mental health by utilizing music and sound. To improve the mental health of their patients, music therapists frequently incorporate vocal and aural techniques like humming.
In addition, songs and music are used by music therapists to support their treatment programs and to help patients unwind and feel comfortable.
11. Audiologist
National average salary: $75,356 per year
Audiologists are medical professionals who focus on identifying, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the auditory and vestibular bodily systems.
Although the field of audiology does not fall under the umbrella of music, these professionals can be innovative in how they assist patients in managing audiological issues and diseases, including incorporating music and harmonic sounds into patient treatment regimens.
12. Voice-over artist
National average salary: $79,004 per year
In radio, theater, film, television, and other audio projects, voice-over artist use their voices. They might be asked to sing and play the music while they act out character speech, or they might be asked to provide commentary or narration off-stage or off-camera.
13. Audio engineer
National average salary: $82,024 per year
The audio systems used by musicians, recording artists, and sound technicians are designed and developed by audio engineers. To set up equipment, check playback, and guarantee the sound quality is appropriate for the application, they utilize both engineering and audiological concepts.
In addition, whereas audio-visual engineers use both visual and audiological engineering principles, audio engineers often concentrate primarily on the audiological components of the music and sound performance.
14. Video engineer
National average salary: $89,322 per year
In order to improve movies, TV broadcasts, and other film-audio productions, video engineers concentrate on the visual components of recording and may collaborate closely with audio and audio-visual engineers.
They are in charge of setting up and managing sophisticated production tools, digital video systems, and component parts, in addition to creating project reports. When creating apps that combine audio and video processes, video engineers could particularly appreciate working with sound and music.
15. Speech therapist
National average salary: $99,478
Patients suffering from a stroke, injury, or other trauma that affects the vocal system are given special attention by speech therapists in order to support and enhance voice tone, muscular movement, and strength. Speech therapists use mouth movement, enunciation, tone, and vocal sounds to identify and treat speech issues.
Singing and music are frequently used by speech therapists to aid in patients’ healing and treatment.
Why you should secure a job in the Music Industry
- Helps spend time on something you love
When you are a full-time musician or music professional, all of your efforts are directed into musical pursuits. You can follow your passion and do what you like to do because of it.
- Provides opportunities for travels
For someone who enjoys traveling, performing concerts outside of their hometown or even abroad might be an exciting experience.
- Offers a high salary
A career in the music industry offers plenty of opportunities for learning. Your earnings may rise as you gain experience and give more concerts or live performances.
- Provides a sense of accomplishment
In the music business, well-known people include musicians, songwriters, lyricists, and music directors. Because you have a chance to be recognized, working in the music industry might make you feel accomplished.
- Helps to release stress
You can lower your stress levels by listening to music. Music enables you to communicate your inner feelings.
Conclusion
There are numerous possibilities open to you if you love music and want to pursue a career in it. You can start your ideal work in music if you have the necessary qualifications and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do workers in the music industry make money?
Workers in the music industry make the majority of their money from performing live, selling products, and licensing their music for uses like television, film, or video games, as well as from collaborations or side ventures.
Streaming is frequently viewed as the medium of the future for music and can be a lucrative source of income for workers in the music industry. But compared to other sources of income, it isn’t nearly as lucrative for workers in the industry.
What job in the music industry is right for me?
- Music director
- Music journalist
- Booking agent
- Worship leader
- Sound engineer
- Musician
- Disc jockey
- Electronics Technician
- Music teacher
- Music therapist
- Audiologist
- Voice-over artist
- Audio engineer
- Video engineer
- Speech therapist
Are there sales jobs in music industry?
Sales jobs in the music industry are available.
- Music store sales
- Music sales consultant – Remote
- Sales associate-MUSIC CITY MALL
- Guitar sales specialist
- Sales associate – Music City Mall – 711
- Strategic Partner Manager, Emerging Music Creator Partnerships, North America
- Fall 2022 WMG Emerging Talen Associate Program (Business Development and Sales)
References
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