Music Business Careers & Incomes

A career in the music industry is the fond dream of many a starstruck teen--and even some adults. Many hope to find success as performers, but other music careers include composer, arranger, producer, sound engineer and artist manager.

Composer

The word "composer" may call to mind such figures as Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. But composers today may write not only for classical artists and ensembles, she may write for musical theater, film, television, video games or advertising. Composers must have a thorough knowledge of music theory, the capabilities of individual instruments and the human voice as well as a gift for creating original work. They also must be highly creative. For film and TV, sometimes, the composer must be able to invent music almost overnight. The composer also must be careful not to copy anyone else's work, at the risk of inviting legal action. The average salary for a composer is about $40,000, though some earn only $16,000 and others, six figures or more.

Arranger

To some, the concept of arranging is more intriguing than that of composing. Arrangers take the work of a songwriter or composer and rearrange it, using different instrumentation, different harmonies, different rhythms or contrapuntal melodies. New arrangements of existing works can be required for new theater productions, new artists or ensembles or just for the sake of whimsy. Many great composers, such as Rachmaninoff, created arrangements of other composers' work. Arrangers earn anywhere from $16,000 to $111,000, with the average salary hovering about $40,000.

Producer

In the recording industry, the music producer is responsible for every aspect of the recording. This may include working with the artists in the studio to ensure the desired sound, mood and feel. It may also extend to choosing the material, with or without the input of the primary artist. After the recording session, the producer works closely with sound engineers to accomplish appropriate editing, mixing and mastering. It is said that a top-notch producer can make or break a recording artist's career--or at least account for the success or failure of a recording project. The average salary for a music producer in the U.S. lies somewhere between $45,000 and $60,000 per year. You can find producers that make as little as $20,000 and others who earn many millions in a year.

Recording Engineer

Recording engineers are the wizards of the recording studio. It is thanks to them that an artist who sings flat here and there sounds perfectly on pitch in the recorded track. Recording engineers must be detail-oriented and technologically savvy, with an intimate knowledge of the digital audio workstation and mixing equipment, as well as varied musical instruments and microphone types. As the field is so competitive, it is critical that the engineer remain up to date on music technology and equipment innovations. The artist, producer and label are relying on her for quality session output that will then be further massaged during the mixing/editing process. Most recording engineers make about $36,000 to $40,000. At the low end are those who work for less than $20,000, and at the top of the scale are those who earn $82,000 or more.

Artist Manager

An artist manager is responsible for the career of the recording artist. A manager needs to have a good eye (and ear) for quality talent. She must also have abundant connections who can direct her to new prospects. In addition, she has to have extensive contacts at record companies, performance venues, presenting organizations, even radio stations. A strong, outgoing personality is a must. Once a manager has signed an artist, she is responsible for record company relations, PR, marketing, endorsements and more. In short, he handles the business side of things for the performer or group. Clearly, a manager needs to be hard-nosed enough to negotiate well but sensitive enough to relate easily to creative people. Managers typically earn 15 percent to 25 percent of the artist's income. Yearly income depends heavily on the success of their stable of performers. Those whose clients succeed at performing and recording typically earn six figures or more.

References

• ASCAP.com: JAM - Careers in the Music Business