10 High Paying Music Jobs and How to Get Started

If you’re passionate about music, you may be wondering what the best career paths are for you. Luckily, there are many high paying music jobs available!

In this blog post, we will discuss 10 of the most popular music careers and how to get started in them. So whether you’re a singer, songwriter, or producer, there’s sure to be a career path for you!

These are in no particular order and you will find careers in all of these fields could pay on the higher end or lower end as it depends entirely on the experience, clientele, and popularity of the artist.

1. Professional Singer/Musician

Becoming a professional singer or musician has the potential to be an incredibly lucrative career choice.

In today’s modern world, the demand for talented musicians is at an all-time high, and with the right combination of skill, passion, and hard work, you can make it big!

Imagine performing on grand stages with thousands of adoring fans cheering for you. The lifestyle that comes with being a successful musician is undoubtedly glamorous and exciting.

Not only do you get to express yourself creatively through your music, but you also have the opportunity to travel the world and experience different cultures.

Financially speaking, a career in music can be highly rewarding. With record deals, concert tours, endorsements, and merchandise sales, there are multiple streams of income available to artists.

The key is to establish yourself as a brand and create a strong online presence to attract fans from all over the globe.

With social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok gaining immense popularity, musicians now have direct access to their audience without relying solely on traditional media outlets.

Don’t get me started on live performances, either, as they play a significant role in a musician’s income.

From small intimate gigs at local venues to headlining major festivals or even hosting your own concerts, there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

These performances not only generate revenue through ticket sales but also by attracting sponsorships and corporate collaborations.

Furthermore,

• Musicians often secure deals with brands for endorsements or product placements.
• Collaborations with other artists can lead to increased exposure and financial success.
• Royalties from streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music provide recurring income over time.
• Creating personalized merchandise like clothing lines or signature products adds another revenue stream.

It’s important to remember that achieving success in the music industry requires talent, dedication, and perseverance.

The road to stardom may not be easy, but with the right attitude, hard work, and a little bit of luck, you can turn your passion for music into a high-paying job that allows you to live life on your own terms!

2. Writer

If you’re a songwriter, you can make a very good living by writing songs for other artists. Many songwriters make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year!

To get started as a songwriter, you’ll need to develop your writing skills and learn how to craft a catchy song. You may also need to take some music classes or participate in a songwriting group.

Once you’ve developed your skills, you can start pitching your songs to artists and record labels.

3. Producer

If you’re a producer, you can make a very good living by producing records for other artists. Many producers make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year!

To get started as a producer, you’ll need to develop your production skills and learn how to use music production software. While you do not need any specific degrees to become a music producer, you may also want to take some courses or shadow an experienced producer.

Shadowing an experienced producer is one of the best ways to start a career in music from an early age.

We have written a post all about starting a career as a music producer which has a step-by-step guide.

You can also learn all about the many ways to make money as a music producer.

4. A&R

A&R (artist and repertoire) is the process of finding and developing new artists. A&R reps earn a good salary by signing and developing new talent.

To get your career started in A&R, you’ll likely need to have a mix of music industry experience and business acumen. It’s also important to be well-connected in the music community.

Some ways to gain experience in A&R include interning or working at a record label, talent agency, publishing company, or management firm. You can also start your own independent label or work as a consultant for artists and managers.

Networking is key, so attend music industry events and meet as many people as you can. Be sure to showcase your skills and knowledge by writing articles or producing podcasts about the music industry.

5. Music Manager

A music manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an artist’s career. Music managers typically earn a percentage of an artist’s earnings (usually around 15%).

The job of a music manager is very demanding and requires a high level of experience in the music industry. To get started, intern or work at a record label, talent agency, or management firm. You can also start your own independent label or work as a consultant for artists and managers.

As with A&R, networking is key, so attend music industry events and meet as many people as you can.

You can check out our list of music internships and programs to help direct you to the right path for becoming a manager.

6. Sound Engineer

A sound engineer is responsible for operating and maintaining audio equipment. Sound engineers typically work in recording studios, live venues, or post-production facilities.

To get started as a sound engineer, you’ll need to learn about audio equipment and how to use it. You may also want to take some courses or earn a degree in audio engineering.

Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can start applying for jobs.

Many sound engineers earn a yearly salary of $60,000-$70,000.

7. Music Therapist

Not the typical job that comes to mind when thinking about music careers, but music therapists use music to help people with physical, emotional, and mental health issues.

Music therapists typically have a degree in music therapy from an accredited program. Once you have your degree, you can become certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

After you’re certified, you can start working with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or private practices.

Music therapists earn a median salary of $47,860 per year.

8. Record Label Executive

Record execs are responsible for signing and managing artists, as well as overseeing the production and release of albums.

To become a record label executive, you’ll need to have a lot of experience in the music industry. Start by working your way up the ladder at a record label or music management company.

This is a long-term goal after many years in the industry, and execs typically earn a six-figure salary.

Study the career trajectory of some record executives of major labels such as

• Sony Music Entertainment
• Universal Music Group
• Warner Music Group.

You’ll need to have a high level of industry knowledge and be able to spot new trends to be successful in this role.

9. Events Manager/Concert Promoter

For the outgoing music lover, a career as an events manager or concert promoter might be the perfect fit.

As an events manager, you’ll be responsible for planning and organizing concerts and other music events. This includes booking venues, hiring staff, and promoting the event.

To get started, you can volunteer to help with local shows or festivals. You can also intern at a music venue or concert promoter.

With experience, you can start working as an events manager or concert promoter. Promoters typically earn a commission of ticket sales, so your income will be based on the success of the event.

10. Music Journalist

A music journalist is a true jobs for music lovers! It typically covers the music industry for news outlets, magazines, or websites.

They may interview artists, produce features on new releases or live shows, review albums, and more. 

To start a career in music journalism, it helps to have a background in writing and knowledge of the music industry.

Most journalists start out as interns or contributing writers for small publications before landing full-time gigs.

It’s also important to build a strong portfolio of work by pitching stories to editors and networking with other professionals in the field.

OR, you can get started on your own using Youtube! Honestly, that is the done thing these days, and it means you aren’t at the whim of anybody else.

Learn all about how you can use social media to market your brand and kick your career off in a way that works for you!

The Mixdown…

If you’re passionate about music and want to make a career out of it, there are many options available to you. These are just a few of the high-paying jobs in the music industry. But when you search beyond the obvious, you can find some real creative jobs in the music industry!

What are some other high-paying jobs in the music industry? Have a read of this music careers list:

• 1. Music producer
• 2. Sound engineer
• 3. Music journalist
• 4. Music therapist
• 5. Music teacher
• 6. Concert promoter
• 7. Tour manager
• 8. Songwriter/composer
• 9. Record label executive
• 10. Booking agent/talent manager
• 11. Music lawyer/entertainment attorney
• 12. A&R representative
• 13. Studio musician/session player
• 14. Music director/conductor
• 15.Music marketer/publicist
• 16.Music video director/editor
• 17.Sound designer
• 18.Live sound engineer
• 19.Music event planner/coordinator
• 20.Music technology specialist
• 21. Music supervisor guitarist

Some of the jobs on the list above are jobs in the music industry with no experience required! Others require some thick skin in the game, but… they are among the careers and music jobs that make 100k a year!

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