20 Music Careers To Discover in 2025

Music careers are normally chosen much less as a result of they’re a simple highway to monetary success and extra due to ardour. Whereas few will make it as the subsequent large pop star, there are nonetheless loads of different alternatives that require music abilities. Thankfully, there are many well-paying jobs within the music trade.

To assemble this checklist, we checked out common salaries and the necessities crucial to reach many various music-related fields, from cowl bands to music attorneys. A few of the jobs listed right here may be carried out by somebody who’s self-taught however extremely expert in a particular instrument or different space. Others require apprenticeships or superior levels.

Share this checklist with highschool college students as they think about their future careers, and guarantee them that their love of music can translate right into a profitable profession.

*Notice: Most wage info is from Certainly.com and ZipRecruiter.com and represents the typical annual or hourly wage for every job in March 2025 in the USA.

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You possibly can assist your college students work out the place to seek out profession satisfaction by getting them the details on the world of labor, their post-secondary choices, and their very own abilities and pursuits. It’s all about making knowledgeable choices, however you want sources for that. Enter: these superior profession exploration worksheets.

Music Careers in Efficiency

A woman is seen in a recording studio wearing headphones in front of a microphone in this example of music careers — Cottonbro Studio by way of Pexels

1. Session Musician

Whereas generally known as a session musician, this job will also be known as a backing musician or studio musician. These persons are usually employed for one-time, particular tasks and should not a part of a proper band. Session musicians could also be employed to play a particular instrument or present backing vocals.

Common Wage: $52,774
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A man stands with his arms outstretched in front of another man with a keyboard. — ANTONI SHKRABA manufacturing by way of Pexels

2. Band Chief

A band chief has many obligations, together with selecting set lists and preparations and main rehearsals and performances. They could even be answerable for managing the enterprise facet of issues as effectively.

Common Wage: $57,114
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A man in a tuxedo is seen with his hands up conducting an orchestra in this example of music careers. — Cottonbro Studio by way of Pexels

3. Conductor

A music conductor is answerable for directing choirs or orchestras throughout each rehearsals and performances. They have to unify the musicians whereas persistently setting the tempo of the music and controlling the interpretation of the piece.

Common Wage: $49,395
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in music, grasp’s diploma in conducting, music principle, or composition

Several members of a music band are shown singing or playing instruments in this example of music careers. — RDNE Inventory venture by way of Pexels

4. Cowl Band Musician

There may be plenty of demand for canopy or tribute bands, so deciding to go this route is a certain technique to get the gig. You possibly can carry out at concert events, weddings, and plenty of different features.

Common Wage: $40,000
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A man stands in a crowded venue controlling music as a
DJ in this example of music careers. — Gaby Tenda by way of Pexels

5. DJ

A disc jockey, also called a DJ, usually entertains for audiences by enjoying recorded music at varied features. Additionally they work together with the viewers, together with saying the bridal get together at weddings.

Common Wage: Hourly charge of $50 to $500
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A woman sits at a white grand piano in this example of music careers. — Do the Lan by way of Pexels

6. Accompanist

An accompanist is an ideal job for somebody with a background in piano enjoying, although there could also be a necessity for vocalists as effectively.

Common Wage: $40,000
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A man in a military uniform is playing a trumpet. — Kres Thomas by way of Pexels

7. Army Musician

The armed forces make use of musicians who carry out quite a lot of roles whereas serving within the navy. These can embody performing in marching bands, jazz bands, and the like. These musicians can also carry out at occasions reminiscent of parades and funerals.

Common Wage: $53,000
Training/Coaching: Musical expertise, formal or self-taught music training

A man is seen writing on a notepad with a guitar in the background — Tima Miroshnichenko by way of Pexels

8. Jingle Author

Somebody has to put in writing all these catchy jingles you hear on commercials so why not you? Jingle writers specialise in composing transient musical items which are utilized in promoting throughout totally different types of media.

Common Wage: $35 per hour
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in music or a powerful data of composition and/or varied musical genres

Music Careers in Manufacturing and Engineering

A computer monitor shows various music monitoring programs in this example of music careers — Ron Lach by way of Pexels

9. Sound Engineer

A sound or audio engineer has a mastery of assorted audio tools and software program that they use to assist produce music and sound for various media reminiscent of music and movie. They assist to make sure the standard of the sound produced by equalization and dynamics processing.

Common Wage: $75,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in audio engineering or music expertise

A man is seen re-stringing an instrument while a woman looks on. — Boris Pavlikovsky by way of Pexels

10. Instrument Technician

A musical instrument technician normally makes a speciality of a sure sort of instrument reminiscent of string or brass. They will do quite a lot of issues together with making repairs and restoring devices. They will additionally provide recommendation about long-term care of the instrument.

Common Wage: $30 per hour
Training/Coaching: Expert in understanding and performance of instrument

A hand is seen transcribing musical notes in this example of music careers. — Tima Miroshnichenko by way of Pexels

11. Copyist

A copyist performs an important function within the music area by creating finalized sheet music that may be distributed to members of a musical ensemble. They’re answerable for proofreading and organizing music that will probably be used both in a studio session or a reside efficiency.

Common Wage: $40,000
Training/Coaching: Extremely expert within the space of musical notation and composition

A man sits in front of several architectural drawings in this example of music careers. — Ron Lach by way of Pexels

12. Studio Designer

A studio designer is hands-on in designing and constructing both complete studios or separate purposeful areas like isolation cubicles and management rooms. They want intensive data of acoustics, structure, audio recording, and the like.

Common Wage: $115,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in manufacturing, recording, structure, or acoustical science

A person's hands are seen adjusting a microphone. — This Is Engineering by way of Pexels

13. Assistant Engineer

An assistant engineer assists the lead engineer in no matter approach crucial. Their duties could embody adjusting microphones, making minor fixes to devices, transferring tools, and actually something that wants doing. It’s a extremely sought-after entry-level place that may be seen extra as an apprenticeship.

Common Wage: $60,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in audio engineering/music manufacturing

A man is seen taking a photograph from behind of a stage with musicians on it in this example of music careers. — Yasin Aydın by way of Pexels

14. Music Photographer

Phenomenal pictures abilities are essential to seize bands and different musicians, in addition to a eager understanding of lighting and capturing in a dynamic atmosphere. You’ll additionally wish to construct a portfolio and work in your networking with a purpose to e-book jobs.

Common Wage: $44,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in pictures, although it’s not necessary

Music Careers in Enterprise

A man in a suit extends his arm out for a handshake. — RDNE Inventory venture by way of Pexels

15. Reserving Agent

A reserving agent will certainly wish to community to ascertain a roster of musicians and musical acts. After getting shoppers, you’ll work with expertise patrons, live performance promoters, pageant administrators, and others on reserving jobs.

Common Wage: $40,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in advertising, communications, or public relations

Two figures are in the background wearing headphones. A woman with a headset with a microphone is in the forefront in this example of music careers. — Mikhail Nilov by way of Pexels

16. Enterprise Supervisor

A enterprise administration agency or enterprise supervisor handles varied facets of a musical act’s monetary and negotiation wants.

Common Wage: $80,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in enterprise administration

A man stands in front of a large wall covered in music concert posters. — Walid Ahmed by way of Pexels

17. Live performance Promoter

A live performance promoter is answerable for organizing and planning reside occasions by working with venues to e-book expertise. They’re additionally answerable for selling the acts.

Common Wage: $45,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in enterprise administration, communications, advertising

A woman is standing in front of a fancy desk in a fancy office. — August de Richelieu by way of Pexels

18. Leisure Legal professional

Musicians rent leisure attorneys to help them with authorized agreements. Additionally they negotiate varied contracts and producer agreements.

Common Wage: $120,000
Training/Coaching: Graduate regulation diploma

Careers in Music Training

A teacher is kneeling on the floor surrounded by young students holding bells. — Ksenia Chernaya by way of Pexels

19. Music Trainer (Pre-Okay by Grade 12)

A music trainer for preschool by twelfth grade teaches college students about totally different facets of music. Whereas they normally educate in a faculty setting, they could additionally work in neighborhood facilities or music academies.

Common Wage: $54,000
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in music training plus any certificates/licensing requirement in your state

A man sits cross legged on the floor while three people sit on a couch or in a chair with a guitar beside them. — Tima Miroshnichenko by way of Pexels

20. Music Therapist

A music therapist is a particular sort of counselor that works with people to help with psychological well being challenges by singing, enjoying devices, and listening to music.

Common Wage: $27 per hour
Training/Coaching: Bachelor’s diploma in music remedy in addition to required fieldwork