Here Are Your Career Picks!

Take a look at these great music business 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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Music Director with headphones around her neck in the on-air studio at the radio station

Music Director

 A radio station’s Music Director chooses songs for airplay. Learn More Avg. Salary: $43,098 Salary Range: $24K-$55K Alt Titles: Radio Music Director, MD
Record Producers working in a music studio

Record Producer

 Record Producers guide the production of a record by coaching the musicians, advising in pre-production sessions, and directing the in-studio recording and production process. Learn More Avg. Salary: $80,750 Salary Range: $89K - $166K Alt Titles: Producer, Music Producer, Recording Producer
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
Director of A&R wearing headphones

Director of A&R

 The Director of A&R finds new artists, matches them with musical collaborators, and oversees the musical direction of the label. Learn More Avg. Salary: $124,377 Salary Range: $90K-$150K Alt Titles: A&R Director, A&R Manager, A&R Executive, A&R
Black female Radio DJ with microphone and headphones

Radio DJ

 A Radio DJ plays music on-air, talks to listeners, and discusses current events, music, news, or other subjects on broadcast, internet, and satellite radio stations. They also interview artists... Learn More Avg. Salary: $53,580 Salary Range: $19K-$105K Alt Titles: Radio Host, On Air Personality, Radio Personality, DJ, Disc Jockey, Radio Announcer
Sound technician working on the mixing console in large concert arena

Sound Technician

 Sets up and uses soundboard and other sound equipment during concerts or performances, ensuring that levels are correct and the sound mix is right. Learn More Avg. Salary: $41,129 Salary Range: $25K - $69K Alt Titles: Resident Sound Technician, Audio Technician, Sound Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, FOH Engineer
Tattooed Booking Agent in eyeglasses looking at laptop screen while working in modern working space

Booking Agent

 Booking Agents find performing opportunities, plan tours, negotiate performance fees and terms, and execute contracts for artists on their roster. Learn More Salary Range: $20,000 to $1,000,000+ Alt Titles: Booking Manager, Agent
Entertainment Attorney reviewing a file in her office

Entertainment Attorney

 Entertainment Attorneys handle all legal matters for musicians. This includes contractual agreements, negotiating, advice, and counseling. Learn More Avg. Salary: $117,567 Salary Range: $77K-$186K Alt Titles: Music Attorney, Lawyer, Attorney
Female tour manager standing in front of large, empty concert stage

Tour Manager

 A Tour Manager manages transportation, scheduling, and the financial aspects of an artist’s time on the road. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,317 Salary Range: $46K - $71K Alt Titles: Road Manager, Concert Tour Manager
Music Publisher listening to music through headphones in her office

Music Publisher

 Signs Songwriters to write demos, then pitches these demos to artists and labels as possible cuts on their records. They also pitch recordings for use in film, TV, and commercials. Learn More Avg. Salary: $65,930 per year Salary Range: $57k to $75k per year Alt Titles: Publisher
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
Lights show inside a concert venue

Lighting Technician

 Lighting Technicians rig lights, set up equipment and create onstage lighting effects to complement a performer’s live show. Learn More Avg. Salary: $58,280 Salary Range: $50K-$68K Alt Titles: Lighting Tech, Electrical Lighting Technician
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, Music Tech
Female Music Therapist with young female patient

Music Therapist

 A Music Therapist works with individuals and teams in a clinical setting using music and musical activities to help heal patients and improve their emotional, physical, cognitive and social wellbeing. Learn More Avg. Salary: $44,400 Salary Range: $33K - $67K Alt Titles: None
Concert Promoter on his laptop at a bar

Concert Promoter

 Concert Promoters organize shows by booking talent, securing venues, and marketing their events. Learn More Avg. Salary: $78,553 Salary Range: $28K-$187K Alt Titles: Talent Promoter, Promoter
Two social media managers looking at their laptops

Social Media Manager

 Social Media Managers write and schedule content for an artist or music company’s social pages. They also interact with fans and provide customer service on the social sites they manage. Learn More Avg. Salary: $65K Salary Range: $52K - $83K Alt Titles: Community Manager
Asian female Personal Assistant to Recording Artist walking through New York City street with coffee and lunch

Personal Assistant to Recording Artist

 A Personal Assistant manages the day-to-day tasks of their employer’s business and personal lives. Learn More Avg. Salary: $43,134 Salary Range: $25K-$75K Alt Titles: Music PA, Personal Aide, Assistant, Personal Assistant, Celebrity Personal Assistant, PA
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
Speech Pathologist writing notes on a medical report

Speech Pathologist

 Helps rehabilitate patients with vocal disorders through voice therapy exercises. Learn More Avg. Salary: $60,235 Salary Range: $44K - $84K Alt Titles: Voice Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist
Album Cover Designer sketching art on a notepad

Album Cover Designer

 Album Cover Designers create cover art and layout for LPs and CDs based off an artist or label’s design ideas. Learn More Avg. Salary: $45,677 Salary Range: $33K-$66K Alt Titles: Record Designer, Cover Artist/Illustrator, Graphic Artist
Male Tour Bus Driver standing outside a coach bus

Tour Bus Driver

 Tour Bus Drivers drive bands across the country while on tour. Learn More Avg. Salary: $27,755 Salary Range: $20K - $39K Alt Titles: Tour Driver, Entertainer Coach Driver
Roadie watching the band from backstage

Roadie

 Roadie is the catch-all term for any touring professional in the live music industry. Among other duties, their work may involve engineering sound, programming stage lighting, and tuning guitars. Learn More Avg. Salary: $34,242 Salary Range: $23K - $51K Alt Titles: Event Technician, Production Technician, Touring Concert Professional, Stagehand
Talent Buyer listening to music on his earphones at the office

Talent Buyer

 Talent Buyers book artists at a venue in hopes of drawing a large crowd and netting a profit for the club. Learn More Avg. Salary: $47,438 Salary Range: $37K - $60K Alt Titles: Booker, Music Booker
Music Journalist writing a story on her desktop computer

Music Journalist

 Music Journalists write music criticism and music news for print, online, and broadcast media. Learn More Avg. Salary: $40,662 Salary Range: $26K-$76K Alt Titles: Writer, Journalist, Reporter, Music Critic
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
Rack Jobber showing new release to record store employee

Rack Jobber

 Provides CDs, DVDs, and music merchandise to stores whose main business is not music industry related. Learn More Salary Range: $25,000 to $55,000+ Alt Titles: Sub-distributor
Voice Therapist touching the throat of young male patient

Voice Therapist

 Works with patients to help them recover from vocal damage and to make positive lifestyle and/or vocal behavior changes. Learn More Avg. Salary: $43,838 Salary Range: $31K - $64K Alt Titles: Vocal Therapist
Music Critic working outdoors on his laptop

Music Critic

 Music Critics interview Musicians and review live performances and recorded albums for print or online media outlets. Learn More Avg. Salary: $52,608 Salary Range: $10K-$221K Alt Titles: Music Writer
Promotion manager talking on the phone with a contact

Promotion Manager

 Promotion Managers serve as the head of the radio promotions department and are in charge of netting radio airplay for the label’s artists. Learn More Avg. Salary: $78,787 Salary Range: $53K - $115K Alt Titles: Radio Promotion Manager, Record Promoter, Radio Promoter, Director of Radio Promotions
General manager of a record label concentrating with male coworker in background

General Manager

 General Managers are the decisionmakers at a label, overseeing aspects of an album’s creation such as marketing, budgeting, distribution, and promotional shoots. Learn More Avg. Salary: $73,343 Salary Range: $45K-$122K Alt Titles: GM, Label Manager
Music publicist on the phone with the media in her office

Publicist

 Creates press kits, writes press releases, and contacts media to secure coverage for artists and albums. Learn More Avg. Salary: $47,139 Salary Range: $35K - $64K Alt Titles: Press Agent, PR Person, Staff Publicist
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: $95,624 per year Salary Range: $114K-$213K per year Alt Titles: Comparative Musicologist, Musicologist, Folklorist, Music Historian
Celebrity Bodyguards with client in elevator

Celebrity Bodyguard

 Celebrity Bodyguards keep clients safe and happy. They must assess and deter possible threats from stalkers, paparazzi, and even ex-boyfriends while also ensuring that the celebrity is relaxed and... Learn More Avg. Salary: $64,718 Salary Range: $42K-$145K Alt Titles: Bodyguard, Executive Protection Professional, Close Protection Officer, Security Guard
Video jockey controlling videos on stage at concert from the sound booth

Video Jockey

 Video Jockeys create video content and curate video playlists for concert performances, DJ nights, and live events. Learn More Avg. Salary: $23,629 Salary Range: $19K-$34K Alt Titles: VJ, Video Jock
Female music photographer taking shots at a festival

Music Photographer

 A Music Photographer shoots live concerts, musician portraits and band promo photos. Learn More Avg. Salary: $44,452 Salary Range: $12K-$105K Alt Titles: Concert Photographer, House Photographer, Photographer
Young Field Merchandiser with headphones in music store

Field Merchandiser

 Distributes merchandise and promotional materials to retailers and wholesale departments. Learn More Avg. Salary: $29,649 Salary Range: $22K-$43K Alt Titles: Merchandising Representative, Field Representative
Interior of a large nightclub with an impressive light show taking place

Nightclub Manager

 Nightclub Managers oversee all employees and handles day-to-day operations. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,489 Salary Range: $20K-$92K Alt Titles: Club Manager
Program Director talking to DJ in the radio station studio

Program Director

 The Program Director manages and schedules station programming, and oversees the station’s various departments and staff. Learn More Avg. Salary: $81,195 Salary Range: $48K - $132K Alt Titles: PD
Tour Coordinator watching a live concert from the back of the room

Tour Coordinator

 Manages financial aspects of touring, including budgeting, reconciling show settlements, and negotiating band, crew, and vendor deals. Learn More Avg. Salary: $37,407 Salary Range: $26K - $45K Alt Titles: Tour Director
Recording Studio Manager

Production Manager

 Production Managers are responsible for all technical production elements of a live show, including sound, lighting, and staging. Learn More Avg. Salary: $70,773 Salary Range: $47K - $103K Alt Titles: PM, Concert Production Manager
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
Poster artist using her computer and stylus to create a design

Poster Artist

 Poster Artists design show posters for artists and music/lifestyle companies like record stores and concert venues. Learn More Avg. Salary: $45,276 Salary Range: $29K-$75K Alt Titles: Poster Designer, Screenprinter, Illustrator
Professional Manager on tablet in her office

Professional Manager

 Pitches musical compositions to labels and artists for performance and recording. Learn More Salary Range: $20,000 to $64,590+ Alt Titles: None
Business Manager looking at his laptop and talking on the phone in a cafe

Business Manager

 Handles all personal and business related financial needs of music business clients, including taxes, tour budgets, investment strategy, and contract negotiation. Learn More Avg. Salary: $78,635 Salary Range: $50K-$119K Alt Titles: Account Manager
Marketing Coordinator reading the screen of her desktop computer

Marketing Coordinator

 A Marketing Coordinator handles tour, retail, and digital marketing opportunities for a record label and its artists. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,886 Salary Range: $38K-$67K Alt Titles: Marketing & Promotions Coordinator
Licensing Representative listening to music on her desktop computer

Licensing Representative

 Licensing Representatives pitch music in their catalog for use in film, TV, commercials, movie trailers, and video games. Learn More Avg. Salary: $38,431 Salary Range: $28K-$53K Alt Titles: Licensing Consultant, Music Licensing Coordinator
Music Blogger typing on her laptop

Music Blogger

 A Music Blogger writes breaking music news stories to be posted on an online music blog. Learn More Avg. Salary: $32,802 Salary Range: $17K-$56K Alt Titles: Music Writer, Music Reporter, Contributor, Staff Writer
Two male music interns getting feedback from their older female supervisor

Music 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: Music Apprentice
Record Store Manager holding a vinyl record in the record store

Record Store Manager

 Manages day-to-day operations, supervises workers, and opens and closes the store. Learn More Avg. Salary: $51,152 Salary Range: $35K - $75K Alt Titles: Store Manager, Music Department Manager
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
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
Music Marketing Representative works on his laptop on the patio of his office space

Music Marketing Representative

 Implements surveys for specific market analysis, and briefs radio stations and trade magazines on record sales. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,207 Salary Range: $36K-$106K Alt Titles: Marketing Rep, Marketer, Marketing Staffer
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: $48,917 per year Salary Range: $27,000 to $93,500 per year Alt Titles: Assistant Director
Music business accountant in office with computer

Music Business Accountant

 Music Business Accountants advise and work with musicians and music industry companies on financial matters. Learn More Avg. Salary: $59,317 Salary Range: $44K-$79K Alt Titles: Accountant, Tour Accountant, Music Specialist Accountant, Entertainment Accountant
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
Young women enjoying a music festival

Festival Director

 Festival Directors manage the behind-the-scenes logistics of the festival by working with vendors, city officials and on-site staff. Learn More Avg. Salary: $151,104 Salary Range: $149K-$153 Alt Titles: Festival Producer
Tour publicist closing a deal on the phone in her office

Tour Publicist

 Tour Publicists work to secure regional interviews, show previews and concert reviews for every stop on an artist’s tour. Learn More Avg. Salary: $47,139 Salary Range: $35K - $64K Alt Titles: Publicist
A&R Administrator sitting at desk with headphones around his neck

A&R Administrator

 Negotiates terms to secure rights to songs, masters tracks, delivers songs to DSPs, and ensures projects are under budget. Learn More Avg. Salary: $37,830 Salary Range: $33K - $45K Alt Titles: A&R Administration Representative
Public Relations Counselor on the phone in his office

Public Relations Counselor

 Public Relations Counselors write press releases, pitch stories to media, and schedule and coordinate interviews. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,679 Salary Range: $50K - $80K Alt Titles: P.R. Counselor, Publicist
Advance Person checking the tour schedule in his office

Advance Person

 The Advance Person travels to each city on a tour, days or weeks before the band and crew arrive, in order to quality-check facilities, accommodations, and promotional material. Learn More Salary Range: $25,000 - $48,000 Alt Titles: Advance Agent
Empty concert stage with laser lights and piano

Concert Hall Manager

 Manages concert hall, oversees all activities and employees in the venue. Learn More Avg. Salary: $50,746 Salary Range: $18K-$84K Alt Titles: Theater Manager, Arena Director, Facility Director, Director of Hall Operations, Production/Facilities Manager
Artist Relations Development Rep hanging out with the musicians he represents in their rehearsal space

Artist Relations and Development Representative

 Artist Relations and Development Representatives work with artists to cultivate and develop their careers, both artistically and financially. Learn More Avg. Salary: $45,276 Salary Range: $29K-$75K Alt Titles: Artist Relations, Development Staffer, Artist Development Rep, Product Development
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
Concert Hall Marketing Director sitting in auditorium of opera theater

Concert Hall Marketing Director

 Concert Hall Marketing Directors work to promote live events by sending email blasts, creating posters, advertising in local media, and overseeing the venue’s social media. Learn More Avg. Salary: $65,539 Salary Range: $44K-$97K Alt Titles: Director of Marketing, Marketing Manager
Record Industry Advertising Account Executive checking her phone in the conference room

Record Industry Advertising Account Executive

 Implements record label advertising campaigns. Learn More Avg. Salary: $45,779 Salary Range: $33K - $66K Alt Titles: Account Representative
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
Music web designer on his laptop with a dog

Music Web Designer

 Web Designers use their creative skills to design the look and feel of websites for record labels and artists. Learn More Avg. Salary: $55,810 Salary Range: $40K - $79K Alt Titles: Front End Developer, Web Developer, Web Admin, Webmaster
Record Company Salesperson looking at his computer

Record Company Salesperson

 Works to sell the label’s albums and merchandise. Learn More Avg. Salary: $43,234 Salary Range: $22K - $102K Alt Titles: Sales Representative, Sales Rep
Promotion Staffer on the phone in her office

Promotion Staffer

 Works to get radio airplay for a label’s artists and sets up any on-air performances or promotional giveaways. Learn More Salary Range: $27,000 to $65,000+ Alt Titles: Record Promoter, Radio Promoter
Regional Sales Manager on the phone and checking out sales figures at a cafe

Regional Sales Manager

 Oversees all aspects of marketing albums, including publicity and radio promotions. Also works with digital and physical distributors to ensure songs and albums are available for purchase. Learn More Avg. Salary: $92,221 Salary Range: $60K - $138K Alt Titles: Marketing Manager