MUSIC CAREERS

Select from these music career

categories, sorted by popularity.
Performers & Writers
Recording
The Record Industry
Music Business
Music Industry Touring
Facility, Arena & Club
Music Education
Public Relations &
Advertising
Radio & Television
Symphony and Orchestra
Church Music
Music Health
Music Industry
Merchandising
Instrument Work &
Development
Other Music Careers
Performing & Writing Careers
DJ (Nightclub DJ)
Alternate Titles: DJ, Deejay, Disc Jockey

Job Description: A Club DJ plays songs at a nightclub, bar, rave, or party using vinyl
records, CDs, or MP3s. The traditional DJ setup includes a mixer, two turntables,
a sound system and headphones, although many now use CDJs or digital mixing
software.

Salary: From getting paid in drink tickets to millions of dollars a year. $300/night is
normal.

Become a DJ (Nightclub DJ)

Music Producer
Alternate Titles: Beat Maker, Writer

Job Description: Writes and records music to be used by major artists, licensed for
television or commercials, or for their own projects.

Salary: $25,000 to $1,000,000

Become a Music Producer

Rock Star
Alternate Titles: Rocker, Frontman, Frontwoman

Job Description: A Rock Star is the performer in the band who commands the most
attention onstage, plays a key part in writing the bands songs, and serves as the
groups spokesperson.

Salary: $100k-$1 million+ per gig

Become a Rock Star

 See all (16) Performing &
Writing careers
Recording Careers

Record Producer
Alternate Titles: Producer, Music Producer

Job Description: Creates albums and tracks to be recorded by Artists. They also
manage and direct the albums development, including overseeing recording
sessions.

Salary: $25,000 to $1,000,000+

Become a Record Producer

Recording Engineer
Alternate Titles: Audio Engineer

Job Description: A Recording Engineer operates and sets up the recording

equipment used to capture and shape the sound of an album.

Salary: $25,000-$150,000

Become a Recording Engineer

Assistant Engineer
Alternate Titles: Recording Assistant, Recording Studio Setup Worker

Job Description: Sets up recording booth and electronics before a recording session
and also fixes and replaces equipment as necessary.

Salary: $18,000 to $25,000+

Become an Assistant Engineer

See all (6) Recording careers

Record Industry Careers
A & R Coordinator
Alternate Titles: A&R Representative, A&R Rep, A&R Staffer, Talent Acquisition
Representative

Job Description: The A&R Coordinator searches for new Artists that are a good fit
for a particular record labels genre and image, then signs them to a record deal.

Salary: $27,000 to $85,000+

Become an A & R Coordinator

A & R Administrator
Alternate Titles: Artist and Repertoire Administrator, A&R Administration
Representative

Job Description: In charge of the clerical elements of the A&R Department,

including maintaining the budgets for Artists and bands signed to a label, and
working with accounting and legal personnel.

Salary: $27,000 to $65,000+

Become an A & R Administrator

Promotion Manager
Alternate Titles: Promotion Director, Director of Promotions

Job Description: Develops, implements and directs promotional campaigns for the
record label and its Artists. They work to get radio airplay and more.

Salary: $27,000 to $95,000+

Become a Promotion Manager

See all (18) Record

Industry careers
Music Business Careers

Personal Manager
Alternate Titles: Artists Representative, Manager, Band Manager
Job Description: Represents musical acts and guides all aspects of an Artists
career.

Salary: 10% to 50% of an Artists Earnings. Most Managers receive between 10-
20%.

Become a Personal Manager

Booking Agent
Alternate Titles: Booking Manager, Agent, Booking Representative

Job Description: Secures bookings for musical talent at venues.

Salary: $20,000 to $1,000,000+

Become a Booking Agent

Concert Promoter
Alternate Titles: Talent Promoter, Promoter

Job Description: A Concert Promoter will host musical artists at concerts, clubs,
and events; they will also coordinate venue details.

Salary: $0 to $1,000,000+

Become a Concert Promoter

See all (7) Music Business careers

Music Industry Touring Careers

Tour Manager
Alternate Titles: Road Manager, Concert Tour Manager

Job Description: A Tour Manager manages transportation, scheduling, and the

financial aspects of an Artists time on the road.

Salary: $25,000-$125,000

Become a Tour Manager

Tour Coordinator
Alternate Titles: Tour Director

Job Description: Oversees and coordinates all tour elements and personnel.

Salary: $35,000 to $175,000+

Become a Tour Coordinator

Tour Publicist
Alternate Titles: Music Publicist, Publicist

Job Description: Publicizes tour information to fans and press, handles promotions
and press conferences.

Salary: $30,000 to $100,000+

Become a Tour Publicist

See all (5) Music Industry

Touring careers
Facility, Arena, & Club Careers

Concert Hall Manager

Alternate Titles: Theater Manager, Arena Director, Facility Director, Director of Hall
Operations

Job Description: Manages concert hall, oversees all activities and employees in
venue.

Salary: $26,000 to $90,000+

Become a Concert Hall Manager

Concert Hall Marketing Director

Alternate Titles: Director of Marketing, Marketing Manager

Job Description: Coordinates marketing campaigns, oversees public relations and

advertising department, develops budgets.

Salary: $25,000 to $100,000+

Become a Concert Hall Marketing Director

Stage Manager
Job Description: A Stage Manager makes sure the day-to-day operations of a
concert hall or other musical venue run smoothly.

Salary: $24,000 to $75,000

Become a Stage Manager

See all (6) Facility, Arena, &

Club careers
Music Education Careers

Music Teacher
Alternate Titles: Music Instructor

Job Description: 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 range of
different instruments.

Salary: $30,000-$71,181

Become a Music Teacher

College, Conservatory, or University Music Teacher

Alternate Titles: Music Teacher, Professor, Instructor

Job Description: Educates in music theory, history, composition, and/or new

advances.

Salary: $32,530 to $122,360

Become a College, Conservatory, or University Music Teacher

Private Instrument Teacher

Alternate Titles: Studio Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher,
Instrument Teacher
Job Description: Instructs and teaches students how to play a specific instrument
in a one-on-one or small group setting.

Salary: $30 to $120/hour

Become a Private Instrument Teacher

See all (3) Music Health careers

Public Relations & Advertising Careers

Publicist
Alternate Titles: Press Agent

Job Description: Promotes a musical group or Artist to the general public, creates
and maintains a desired image for the musical act.

Salary: $25,000 to $150,000+

Become a Publicist

Music Journalist
Alternate Titles: Writer, Journalist, Reporter, Music Critic

Job Description: Music Journalists write music criticism and music news for print,
online, and broadcast media.

Salary: $15,000-$30,000+

Become a Music Journalist

Public Relations Counselor

Alternate Titles: Publicist, P.R. Counselor

Job Description: Establishes an Artist, company, or musical groups image, writes

press releases, assembles press kits and arranges press conferences.

Salary: $25,000 to $200,000+

Become a Public Relations Counselor

 See all (6) Public Relations &
Advertising careers
Radio & Television Music Careers

Program Director (PD)

Alternate Titles: P.D., Director of Programs

Job Description: Programs radio format and DJ schedule and selects radio
programs.

Salary: $27,000 to $100,000+

Become a Program Director (PD)

Music Director (MD)

Alternate Titles: Radio Music Director, M.D., Director of Music

Job Description: Chooses songs for radio airplay.

Salary: $25,000 to $95,000+

Become a Music Director (MD)

Radio DJ (DJ)
Alternate Titles: Radio Co-host, On Air Personality, Radio Personality, DJ

Job Description: A Radio DJ plays music on-air and discusses music, news, or other
subjects on the breaks between songs.

Salary: $20,000-$1,000,000+

Become a Radio DJ (DJ)

See all (4) Radio & Television

Music careers
Symphony and Orchestra Careers
Conductor
Alternate Titles: Chief Conductor, Principle Conductor, Maestro, Music Director

Job Description: Conductors lead orchestras, operas, and other musical ensembles
during live performances.

Salary: $15,000-$275,000+

Become a Conductor

Concertmaster/Concertmistress
Alternate Titles: Section Leader, 1st Violinist

Job Description: Leads an entire section of the orchestra, performs solos, tunes
their section of the orchestra.

Salary: $95,000 to $517,000+

Become a Concertmaster/Concertmistress

Section Leader
Alternate Titles: Principal Player

Job Description: Leads a section of the orchestra, sometimes supervises rehearsals

with the section, and assigns parts to musicians.

Salary: $28,000 to $143,000+

Become a Section Leader

See all (14) Symphony and

Orchestra careers
Church Music Careers

Choir Director
Alternate Titles: Music Director, Minister of Music, Administrator of Music Program

Job Description: Coordinates church choir, recruits singers, develops and trains
musical talents, plans choir budget.

Salary: $20,000 to $42,000

Become a Choir Director

Cantor
Alternate Titles: Hazan, Reverend

Job Description: Leads prayers in a synagogue or temple, teaches music, pastoral

duties.

Salary: $25,000 to $80,000+

Become a Cantor

Church Organist
Alternate Titles: Organist, Church Musician

Job Description: Plays the organ at religious services and wedding ceremonies.

Salary: $30,000 to $110,000+

Become a Church Organist

See all (3) Church Music careers

Music Health Careers

Music Therapist
Job Description: A Music Therapist works with clients to improve any issues with
their emotional, physical, cognitive and social wellbeing through the use of music
lessons, sing-a-longs, etc.

Salary: $20,000$135,000

Become a Music Therapist

Voice Therapist
Job Description: Works with patients who suffer from problems like vocal cord
nodules, vocal cord polyps, spasmodic dysphonia, paralyzed vocal cords, etc.

Salary: $55,000 to $100,000+

Become a Voice Therapist

Speech Pathologist
Job Description: Works with patients who suffer from speech ailments that affect
daily life.

Salary: $57,000 to $75,000+

Become a Speech Pathologist

See all (3) Music Health careers

Music Industry Merchandising Careers

Music Store Manager

Alternate Titles: Store Manager, Music Department Manager, Instrument Manager

Job Description: Manages music shop or music department, buys/sells instruments

and equipment.

Salary: $27,000 to $48,000+

Become a Music Store Manager

Music Store Salesperson

Alternate Titles: Music Store Salesman

Job Description: Educates consumers on new products and informs on product

features, sells music accessories, instruments, supplies and more.

Salary: $13,000 to $50,000+

Become a Music Store Salesperson

Record Store Manager

Alternate Titles: Store Manager, Music Department Manager

Job Description: Manages day-to-day operations, supervises workers, and opens

and closes the store.

Salary: $24,000 to $48,000+

Become a Record Store Manager

 See all (6) Music Industry
Merchandising careers
Instrument Work & Development

Musical Instrument Builder/Designer

Alternate Titles: Instrument Craftsman, Custom Instrument Builder, Instrument
Builder/Designer

Job Description: Designs and builds instruments, either to be sold at their own
shop or for a large instrument manufacturer.

Salary: $15,000 to $65,000+

Become a Musical Instrument Builder/Designer

Instrument Repair and Restoration Specialist

Alternate Titles: Instrument Repair Expert, Instrument Restoration

Job Description: Repairs/Restores musical equipment that is broken, scratched, or

is not working.

Salary: $9 to $55+ an hour

Become an Instrument Repair and Restoration Specialist

Piano Tuner-Technician
Job Description: Tunes and/or repairs pianos.

Salary: $100 to $185 per tuning

Become a Piano Tuner-Technician

See all (3) Instrument Work &

Development careers
Other Music Careers
Ethnomusicologist
Alternate Titles: Cultural Anthropologist, Musicologist, Cultural Analyst, Folklorist

Job Description: Study social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and
global context. Document and research.

Salary: $30,000 to $90,000+

Become an Ethnomusicologist

Choreographer
Job Description: Choreographers create and teach dances to dancers to perform
on stage during concert tours, theatrical performances, or film/TV projects.

Salary: $20,000-$81,000

Become a Choreographer

Celebrity Bodyguard
Alternate Titles: Bodyguard, Executive Protection Professional, Close Protection
Officer, Security Guard

Job Description: 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 receives a high
standard of service.

Salary: $25,000 to $500,000+