Here Are Your Career Picks!

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Next, take a look at these great music careers and see if any might be something you're interested in. Some of these careers might be new to you, but well worth exploring. Good luck!

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Female DJ using mixer during live DJ set

DJ

 DJs play a continuous mix of music via turntables, CDJs, or software at parties, clubs, bars, concert venues, raves, and music festivals. Most popular DJs also write and produce their own tracks. Learn More Avg. Salary: $49 an hour Salary Range: $21,000 to $46,000,000 Alt Titles: Nightclub DJ, Deejay, Disc Jockey
Asian female singer in studio with mic

Singer

 Singers record albums and perform live with a band. Singer-Songwriters also write their own tracks. Learn More Salary Range: $0 - $170,000,000 Alt Titles: Vocalist, Pop Star
Closeup on an Orchestrator's hand writing notes on sheet music

Orchestrator

 Orchestrators transpose music and write scores for orchestra based off a composer’s initial draft or sketch. They work with arrangers, artists, producers, and performers to prepare and finish music... Learn More Avg. Salary: $62,377 Salary Range: $13K-$122K Alt Titles: None
Young Black male Drummer playing the drums

Drummer

 A Drummer is a musician who provides rhythmic accompaniment in an ensemble or band using percussion instruments like drums, cymbals, and drumsticks. Learn More Salary Range: $0 to $100,000+ Alt Titles: Percussionist
Young female Audio Engineer with soundboard in recording studio

Audio Engineer

 Audio engineers help to produce recordings and live performances. They select and set up audio recording gear and sound reinforcement equipment to get the sound the musicians and audiences want. After... Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,740 Salary Range: $24,930 to $86,890 Alt Titles: Sound Engineer, Recording Engineer
Young female Pianist at piano

Pianist

 A Pianist is a musician who plays the piano and other keyboard instruments, providing harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic elements in music, whether playing solo or as part of an ensemble, band, or... Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,934 Salary Range: $31K-$88K Alt Titles: Piano Player, Keyboardist
Young black male Music Producer in recording studio

Music Producer

 A Music Producer writes, arranges, produces and records songs for other artists or for their own projects. Learn More Avg. Salary: $88K Salary Range: $66K – $123K Alt Titles: Beat Maker, Producer
Mastering engineer using mixing console in recording studio

Mastering Engineer

 Mastering Engineers ensure the sound quality of recorded music is consistent and well-mixed, creating the final, approved mix for albums before they’re sent out to be replicated and released to the... Learn More Avg. Salary: $72,487 Salary Range: $22K-$143K Alt Titles: Audio Mastering Engineer
Female Guitarist in recording studio

Guitarist

 Guitarists are skilled performers who also frequently write and record their own music. In addition to practicing and performing, they teach, handle tasks such as booking shows, and collaborate with... Learn More Salary Range: $11 to $87+ an hour Alt Titles: Guitar Player
Songwriter with acoustic guitar writing lyrics in notebook

Songwriter

 A Songwriter crafts songs for another artist in hopes of creating a hit. Learn More Avg. Salary: $65,280 Salary Range: $0 to $883,000 Alt Titles: Writer
Lyricist listening to music and writing ideas in her notebook

Lyricist

 A Lyricist writes song lyrics for performance in songs, musicals, film/TV, and commercials. Learn More Avg. Salary: $78K Salary Range: $59K – $105 Alt Titles: Lyric Writer
Ceiling of opera theatre with crowd taking their seats

Opera Singer

 An Opera Singer sings and acts out operatic pieces in a theatrical setting. Learn More Avg. Salary: $70,000 Salary Range: $60K-$200K Alt Titles: Singer, Classical Singer, Operatic Singer, Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Countertenor, Baritone, Bass
Personal Manager in the recording studio with the band he manages

Personal Manager

 Works with artists, providing career direction, artist representation, marketing strategies, and help with merchandising and sponsorships. Learn More Avg. Salary: $51,459 Salary Range: $35K-$92K Alt Titles: Artists Representative, Manager, and Manager
Young female Bassist with her band

Bassist

 Bassists provide the harmonic underpinning and supply a rhythmic groove to music by a band or ensemble. Learn More Salary Range: $40K-$60K Alt Titles: Bass Player
Music Teacher showing bass to young male music student

Music Teacher

 Music Teachers instruct elementary, junior high, or high school students in vocal and instrumental performance and music theory. They also lead various performance ensembles at the school, such as the... Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,934 Salary Range: $31K-$88K Alt Titles: Music Instructor
Concertmaster playing his violin

Concertmaster

 Leads violin section of the orchestra, performs as a soloist, decides on bowings for the first violins, and works closely with the Conductor. Learn More Salary Range: Up to $621,510 Alt Titles: Section Leader, 1st Violinist
Close up on a Composer's hands playing the piano

Composer

 Composers create musical scores for TV, film, and computer games. They use live musicians and sampling to evoke the intended mood or emotion to mirror what’s happening onscreen. Learn More Avg. Salary: $40,452 Salary Range: $20K-$115K Alt Titles: Melodist, Symphonist
Musicologist at front of the classroom teaching college students

Musicologist

 Musicologists study music in a historical, critical, or scientific context. The majority of Musicologists are employed by institutes of higher education, where they conduct research, publish papers... Learn More Avg. Salary: $52,843 Salary Range: $10K-$269 Alt Titles: Professor of Musicology
Arranger writing notes on sheet music

Arranger

 An Arranger reworks an existing musical composition for a live performance or studio recording, adapting the instrumentation, vocals, and harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic elements to create a new... Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,400 Salary Range: $40K-$60K Alt Titles: Market Adapter, Transcriber, Music Arranger
Handsome Asian male Conductor in closeup

Conductor

 Conductors lead orchestras, operas, and other musical ensembles during live performances. Learn More Avg. Salary: $49,435 Salary Range: $25K-$148K Alt Titles: Chief Conductor, Principle Conductor, Maestro, Music Director
Music Supervisor

Music Supervisor

 Music Supervisors find and license music to set the mood and convey emotion in films, commercials, video games, TV shows, mixed media, and for events. Learn More Salary Range: $3K to $5K per episode Alt Titles: None
Male and female Recording Engineers in studio

Recording Engineer

 A Recording Engineer operates and sets up the recording equipment used to capture and shape the sound of a song, album, or film score. Learn More Avg. Salary: $73,600 Salary Range: $46K - $84K Alt Titles: Audio Engineer
Female Sound Designer in production studio

Sound Designer

 Sound Designers create sound effects and immersive audio experiences in the worlds of film/TV, theater, concerts, and video games. Learn More Salary Range: $30K - $100K Alt Titles: Audio Designer, Audio Artist, Sound Artist, Creative Sound Designer, Technical Sound Designer
A&R coordinator holding headphones

A&R Coordinator

 A&R Coordinators find fresh talent for a label and oversee the completion of new albums. Learn More Avg. Salary: $43,118 Salary Range: $36K-$68K Alt Titles: A&R Representative, A&R Rep, A&R Staffer
Guitar Technician tuning up guitar in closeup shot

Guitar Technician

 Guitar Technicians set up and maintain all stringed instruments while a band is on tour. Learn More Avg. Salary: $52,167 Salary Range: $35K-$79K Alt Titles: Instrument Tech, Backline, usic Tech
Jazz musician playing saxophone at outdoor concert with bandmates

Jazz Musician

 Jazz Musicians are highly trained artists who perform original or repertoire jazz works in concert and in the recording studio. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,934 Salary Range: $31K-$88K Alt Titles: Musician, Instrumentalist
Video Game Composer writing music on his keyboard in a recording studio

Video Game Composer

 Video Game Composers create musical scores for video games. Learn More Salary Range: $30,000 to $75,000+ Alt Titles: Video Game Music Composer, Composer
Female Choir Director conducting choir against dark background

Choir Director

 Coordinates church choir, recruits singers, develops and trains musical talents, and selects music for performances. Learn More Avg. Salary: $51,670 Salary Range: $23K-$125K+ Alt Titles: Music Director, Minister of Music, Choral Director
Male Session Musician playing the drums

Session Musician

 A Session Musician performs a backing track for another musician, while performing onstage or recording in studio. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,600 Salary Range: Varies widely, can go up to $100,000 Alt Titles: Studio Musician, Backing Musician
Cruise ship with smaller boat on the ocean near mountains

Cruise Ship Musician

 Cruise Ship Musicians perform a wide variety of music to entertain guests on board a cruise ship. Learn More Avg. Salary: $31,500 Salary Range: $24K-$39K Alt Titles: Cruise Ship Entertainer
Piano Tuner-Technician fixing the sound on a piano

Piano Tuner-Technician

 Piano Technicians tune and repair pianos. Learn More Avg. Salary: $39,548 Salary Range: $22K-$109K Alt Titles: Piano Tuner, Piano Technician
Music Historian doing research on a laptop in the library

Music Historian

 Music Historians research and write about musicians, instruments and musical genres in historical context. Learn More Avg. Salary: $52,471 Salary Range: $40K-$91K Alt Titles: Musicologist, Historian
Session singer wearing headphones and looking at sheet music in recording studio

Session Singer

 A Session Singer sings backup with artists or provides vocals for movie, commercial, and TV scores. Learn More Avg. Salary: $40,000 Salary Range: $15,000-$65,000 Alt Titles: Background Singer, Backing Vocalist, Backup Singer, Studio Vocalist
Jingle writer composing a guitar tune in his home recording studio

Jingle Writer

 Writes music for commercials. Learn More Avg. Salary: $56,980 Salary Range: $36K-$89K Alt Titles: Commercial Jingle Composer, Jingle Composer
Music librarian placing music books on a shelf

Music Librarian

 Music Librarians answer reference questions, interact with the public, process donations, and help catalogue and sometime digitize collections. Learn More Avg. Salary: $55,169 Salary Range: $38K-$89K Alt Titles: Librarian
Personnel Director of an orchestra standing on the upper level of the theatre

Personnel Director

 Personnel Directors handle human resources for the orchestra, hiring musicians and ensuring their working conditions are up to par. Learn More Avg. Salary: $82,213 Salary Range: $25K - $133K Alt Titles: Personnel Manager
Mix engineer working at mixing desk in recording studio

Mix Engineer

 Mix Engineers mix the various sound elements of a track to balance the volume and improve audio quality. Learn More Avg. Salary: $84,124 Salary Range: $60K-$125K Alt Titles: Mixing Engineer, Music Mixer, Mixer
Copyist writing sheet music while leaning on piano

Copyist

 Transcribes musical parts from a score, either by hand or by using a computer program. Learn More Avg. Salary: $35,503 Salary Range: $20K-$56K Alt Titles: Music Copyist, Music Prep Person
Section Leader of the cellos performing in orchestra

Section Leader

 Leads a section of the orchestra, sometimes supervises rehearsals with the section, and assigns parts to musicians. Learn More Avg. Salary: $66,817 Salary Range: $33K - $113K Alt Titles: None
Dance/Cover Band member playing his guitar and singing into microphone on stage

Dance / Cover Band

 Performs covers of popular songs so the audience can dance and have a good time at clubs, bars, casinos, lounges, and schools. Learn More Avg. Salary: $35,236 Salary Range: $18K-$68K Alt Titles: Bar Band, Tribute Band, Lounge Band, Production Show
Assistant Engineer using a sound mixing desk in a recording studio

Assistant Engineer

 Assists recording professionals in the studio by positioning microphones, prepping mixes, carrying amps, and more. Learn More Avg. Salary: $61,645 Salary Range: $46K - $90K Alt Titles: Recording Assistant, Mixing Assistant
Director of Public Relations drinking tea in front of laptop

Director of Public Relations

 Coordinates press and promotions of orchestra, may handle advertising. Learn More Avg. Salary: $94,890 Salary Range: $62K-$138K Alt Titles: PR Director, Director of Press Relations, Publicity Director
Recording studio manager sitting behind mixing console in recording studio

Recording Studio Manager

 Recording Studio Managers ensure the studio runs efficiently by overseeing building maintenance and studio prep ahead of sessions. They also book studio time for artists. Learn More Avg. Salary: $47,351 Salary Range: $34K - $69K Alt Titles: General Manager, Studio Manager
Accompanist playing piano in open studio space

Accompanist

 An Accompanist (or Collaborative Pianist) is a Pianist who accompanies Singers, Dancers, and Instrumentalists for performances and rehearsals. Learn More Avg. Salary: $34,045 Salary Range: $33K-$35K Alt Titles: Collaborative Pianist, Accompanyist
Ethnomusicologist performing on stringed instrument

Ethnomusicologist

 Ethnomusicologists go into the field to learn about the musical practices of different groups, writing academic studies that frame musical traditions and movements through a sociocultural lens. Learn More Avg. Salary: $72,630 Salary Range: $32K-$122K Alt Titles: Comparative Musicologist, Musicologist, Folklorist
Cantor reading the torah in synagogue

Cantor

 Cantors provide inspiration through music for a synagogue’s congregation. They also take on other clergy duties such as teaching and working with families. Learn More Avg. Salary: $51,737 Salary Range: $18K-$122K Alt Titles: Hazzan
Symphony performing on stage at outdoor amphitheatre

Symphony Business Manager

 Supervises general accounting, including accounts payable and receivable and sourcing competitive bidding for office equipment. Attends board meetings and staffs finance committees. Learn More Avg. Salary: $63,388 Salary Range: $39K to $97K Alt Titles: Business Manager, Director of Business Operations, Finance Director
Music Video Director shooting a scene outdoors

Music Video Director

 Directs the action and leads the film crew on a video shoot to realize his or her creative vision for the video. Learn More Avg. Salary: $71,538 Salary Range: $17K-$160K Alt Titles: Director
Church organist sitting with organ

Church Organist

 Plays the organ at religious services and wedding ceremonies. Learn More Avg. Salary: $29,194 Salary Range: $17K-$41K Alt Titles: Organist, Church Musician
Female show band singer holding microphone

Show Band

 Professional musicians who perform at corporate events, charity galas, holiday parties, weddings, and other private celebrations. Learn More Avg. Salary: $100,258 Salary Range: $85K - $119K Alt Titles: Show Group, Floor Show Group
Campus representative with students on campus

Campus Representative

 Promotes a label’s artists through social media, online marketing campaigns, and organizing campus-area events. Learn More Avg. Salary: $26,827 Salary Range: $23K-$34K Alt Titles: College Marketing Representative, College Representative, Campus Rep
Music Editor behind the soundboard while watching the film he's working on

Music Editor

 Mixes, edits, and syncs music to film. Serves as the technical and creative liaison between the Composer and filmmakers. Learn More Avg. Salary: $45,764 Salary Range: $43K-$52K Alt Titles: Film Music Editor
Background singer with microphone in closeup

Background Singer

 The Background Singer performs solo or with other singers and musicians in a recording studio or live performance. Learn More Avg. Salary: $44,346 Salary Range: $18K-$101K Alt Titles: Singer, Studio Singer, Session Vocalist, Vocalist, Background Vocalist, Chorus Member
Symphony orchestra violinists performing on stage against dark background

Managing Director

 Managing Directors oversee the orchestra’s daily operations, strategic planning, and the different departments responsible for fundraising, event production, and so on. Learn More Avg. Salary: $200,184 Salary Range: $90K-$320K Alt Titles: Executive Director
Two male music interns getting feedback from their older female supervisor

Intern

 Learns the ropes at a music business organization through administrative support and assistance on projects. Learn More Avg. Salary: $12.88 hourly Salary Range: $7.25-$30.15 hourly Alt Titles: None
Rock Star on stage with her band

Rock Star

 A Rock Star is the performer in the band who commands the most attention onstage, plays a key part in writing the band’s songs, and serves as the group’s spokesperson. Learn More Avg. Salary: Millions of dollars Salary Range: $100k-$1 million+ per gig Alt Titles: Pop Star, Frontman, Frontwoman
Musical gear in flight boxes on outdoor concert stage

Stage Manager

 A Stage Manager makes sure the day-to-day operations of a concert hall or other musical venue run smoothly. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,000 Salary Range: $29K - $67K Alt Titles: None
Production Music Writer working in his recording studio

Production Music Writer

 Writes music that is usually licensed or sold to a Production Music Library. This music is then placed into TV shows, commercials, and films. The music composer generally splits their earnings with... Learn More Avg. Salary: $56,980 Salary Range: $36K - $89K Alt Titles: TV Music Writer, Commercial Music Writer, Film Music Composer, Music Producer, Jingle Writer
College Music Teacher lecturing students in class

College, Conservatory, or University Music Teacher

 Educates students in music theory, history, composition, performance or music business studies at an institute of higher education. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,934 Salary Range: $31K - $88K Alt Titles: Music Instructor, Music Teacher, Lecturer, Instructor, Professor, Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor
Female cello player with violinists

Section Member

 Rehearses, performs, and sometimes records with an orchestra. Learn More Avg. Salary: $60,229 Salary Range: $40K - $80K Alt Titles: Classical Musician, Section Player
Music Store Manager standing in music store with rows of acoustic guitars

Music Store Manager

 Manages music shop or music department, buys/sells instruments and equipment. Learn More Avg. Salary: $51,152 Salary Range: $35K-$75K Alt Titles: Store Manager, Music Department Manager, Instrument Manager
Vinyl records on display in record store

Record Store Clerk

 Sells records, CDs, and merchandise, assists customers in finding music. Learn More Avg. Salary: $24,340 Salary Range: $8.85 - $19.96 hourly Alt Titles: Music Store Cashier, Sales Person
Instrument repair and restoration specialist fixing a guitar in his workshop

Instrument Repair and Restoration Specialist

 Repairs and restores broken or neglected musical instruments. Learn More Avg. Salary: $49,779 Salary Range: $27K-$69K Alt Titles: Instrument Repair Expert, Instrument Repair Technician
Private Instrument Teacher showing young female student how to play guitar

Private Instrument Teacher

 Music Teachers provide instruction in music performance and theory. They can teach one-on-one or in a group setting. Some Teachers specialize in only one instrument, while others instruct pupils in a... Learn More Avg. Salary: $42,910 Salary Range: $28K - $66K Alt Titles: Studio Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Instrument Teacher
Subscriptions & Ticket Service Director talking on the phone with potential donor

Subscriptions and Ticket Service Director

 Manages the day-to-day operations of the ticketing offices, maintains the ticketing system, ensures patrons receive their tickets, and supervises the box office. Learn More Avg. Salary: $93,776 Salary Range: $58K - $142K Alt Titles: Head of Subscriptions, Ticket Service Director, Ticket Services Manager
Bandmates hanging out on an empty venue stage

Band Director

 Band Directors oversee rehearsals and performances for a school’s athletic bands, including marching bands and pep bands. They also handle behind-the-scenes duties such as recruiting and budget... Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,353 Salary Range: $38K-$71K Alt Titles: Director of Athletic Bands, Associate Band Director
Music Store Salesperson showing electric guitar to female customer

Music Store Salesperson

 Music Store Salespeople provide customer service for clientele shopping for musical instruments, both in the shop and online. They also assist with inventory maintenance and store upkeep. Learn More Avg. Salary: $47,000 Alt Titles: Music Store Sales Associate
Orchestra manager in large theatre

Orchestra Manager

 Orchestra Managers handle contracts with musicians, venues, and vendors. They also help manage rehearsals, event logistics, and operations personnel. Learn More Avg. Salary: $61,500 Salary Range: $49K-$74K Alt Titles: General Manager, Vice President of Operations
Musical Instrument Sales Representative looking at guitars with music store owner

Musical Instrument Sales Representative

 Instrument Sales Reps are responsible for visiting musical instrument retail stores in their territory, selling them instruments and sound gear, and completing sales paperwork. Learn More Avg. Salary: $57,570 Salary Range: $33k-$72K Alt Titles: Sales Representative, Manufacturers Representative
Female director of development on cell phone looking at laptop in open plan office

Director of Development

 Oversees philanthropic and marketing support received from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies on behalf of the orchestra. Learn More Avg. Salary: $99,856 Salary Range: $64K-$153K Alt Titles: Fundraising Director
Orchestral Music Librarian turning pages of a score

Orchestral Music Librarian

 Catalogs and orders music for the orchestra, assists Conductor by copying scores and sheet music. Learn More Avg. Salary: $55,169 Salary Range: $38K-$89K Alt Titles: Performance Librarian
Musical Instrument Builder and Developer assembling acoustic guitar in his workshop

Musical Instrument Builder/Designer

 Designs and builds instruments, either to be sold at their own shop or for a large instrument manufacturer. Learn More Avg. Salary: $58,990 Salary Range: $26K-$59K Alt Titles: Instrument Craftsman, Custom Instrument Builder, Instrument Builder/Designer, Instrument Maker, Luthier
Recording group rehearsing in studio

Recording Group

 Records tracks that are released on albums and as singles. Learn More Avg. Salary: The SKY is the Limit! Alt Titles: Band, Recording Act, Recording Artist
District Supervisor of Music in a meeting with four Music Teachers

District Supervisor of Music

 Works with Teachers in a school district to coordinate music education curriculum and activities and ensure learning goals are being met. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,086 Salary Range: $44K-$65K Alt Titles: Music Administrator, Music Supervisor
Music Education

Director of Educational Activities

 Education Directors plan, coordinate, and implement an orchestra’s educational community outreach programs for local children and adults. Learn More Avg. Salary: $63,632 Salary Range: $39K-$105k Alt Titles: Director of Education, Education Director
percussionist

Percussionist

 A percussionist is a musician who specializes in playing instruments that produce sound through the use of striking, shaking, or scraping, such as drums, cymbals, and... Learn More Avg. Salary: $34,000 Salary Range: $30K - $50K Alt Titles: Drummer
backing vocalist

Backing Vocalist

 A backing vocalist, also called background singer, adds harmonies, blends their voice, and layers vocal parts to enhance the music and support the lead singer. Learn More Avg. Salary: $106,926 Salary Range: $84K - $151K Alt Titles: Background Singer
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