What Will I Earn if I Graduate from College
with a Music Business Degree?
Learn what your earning options are when you graduate from college with a music business degree.
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By Sarah Stevenson
A passion for music may be a starting point for a successful career in the music business, but the proper business training the knowledge of how the industry actually works are its foundation.
A business degree in music—or certificate from accredited colleges with music business degrees—ensures that you have a solid foundation in the field, whether your employment goal is artist management, marketing and publicity, or music distribution.
Keep in mind that competition for jobs in the music business can be fierce; nevertheless, the industry continues to grow, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some regions may offer a more vibrant music business job market, while others might offer higher salaries or better job perks. In addition, the pay structure for different music industry jobs can vary widely. But you'll be better prepared to tackle the challenges of the music business if you graduate from college with a music business degree.
For instance, artist managers may make a salary, but often they are paid a pre-arranged percentage of the musician's income, either instead of—or in addition to—the salary. Music agents, such as booking agents, receive a percentage of the fee a musician is paid for a particular gig, whether a live show or recorded performance. Music promoters earn money on ticket sales for shows they promote. Music PR companies usually make a flat fee for a particular publicity campaign, and possibly bonuses depending on the success of the campaign. A record label, very simply, makes money by selling records, but individual employees might earn an hourly wage or an annual salary, with the amount dependent on the size of the company and the nature of the job.
Regardless of your desired career in the music business, it is critical to be thoroughly familiar with the terms of your contract so that you know the amount of your salary and the conditions by which you earn your income.
Music Business Salaries by Years Experience, Specialty and Employer Type
| Bachelor's Degree–Year's Experience | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| 1 – 4 Years | $34,449 |
| 5 – 9 Years | $40,548 |
| 10 – 19 Years | $52,200 |
| 20 Years or More | $68,500 |
| Bachelor's Degree–Employer Type | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Company | $37,730 |
| Non-Profit Organization | $33,074 |
| Self-Employed | $27,500 |
| Private Practice/Firm | $41,200 |
| Overall Music Industry Salaries by Job Type | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant | $30,865 |
| Retail Store Manager | $39,908 |
| Executive Assistant | $38,042 |
| Marketing Manager | $43,162 |
| Overall Music Industry Salaries by Employer Type | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Company | $49,221 |
| Non-Profit Organization | $38,344 |
| Self-Employed | $39,678 |
| Franchise | $42,500 |
| Music Industry Salaries by U.S. City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $53,248 |
| Los Angeles | $54,712 |
| Nashville | $45,253 |
| Chicago | $39,050 |
| San Francisco | $71,834 |
| Seattle | $69,622 |
| Austin | $36,575 |
Source: PayScale.com, 2009
"Money had never been the main thing for me. It's the legacy that was important."
Berry Gordy, Motown Records