Music Career Finder

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Performing & Writing Careers

Maybe you were born to perform. Or maybe, for you, there's nothing better than hearing a famous artist sing your songs. Welcome to the world of Performing and Writing careers!
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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, Turntablist
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 Avg. Salary: $39.14 per hour Salary Range: $0 - $170,000,000 Alt Titles: Vocalist, Pop Star
Closeup on an Orchestrator's hand writing notes on sheet music

Orchestrator

 Orchestrators write scores and transpose music for an orchestra that has originally been written by a composer. Their orchestrations of music are played live by performers or recorded to be used in a... Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,596 per year Salary Range: $19K to $118K per year Alt Titles: Music Preparer, Score Adapter, Orchestral Arranger
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 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, Record Producer
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: $34 per hour or $70,781 per year (or much more) Alt Titles: Guitar Player
Songwriter with acoustic guitar writing lyrics in notebook

Songwriter

 A songwriter writes songs for other artists or for themselves to record and release, earning royalties from the usage of those songs. Learn More Avg. Salary: $89,212 Salary Range: $0 to $883,000 Alt Titles: Singer-songwriter, Staff writer, Writer
Lyricist listening to music and writing ideas in her notebook

Lyricist

 A Lyricist writes the words to a song, then seeks to have the song performed on a recording or in musicals, usually by a recording/performing artist. Learn More Avg. Salary: $58,672 Salary Range: $49k – $92k per year Alt Titles: Lyric Writer, Staff Writer, Songwriter
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
Young female Bassist with her band

Bassist

 Bassists provide the harmonic underpinning and rhythmic groove in the context of a band or ensemble. Learn More Avg. Salary: $35,290 per year Salary Range: $12.5K—$89.5K per year Alt Titles: Bass Player
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
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
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.