Home

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.

Music Business Home | Resource Center Home | Find Music Business Schools

By Sarah Stevenson

business music professional


Music Business Home



Music Business Career Center

Find Music Business Schools

"Money had never been the main thing for me. It's the legacy that was important."

Berry Gordy, Motown Records

money on sheet music

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.

find colleges with music business degrees

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.

find colleges with music business degrees

Music Business Salaries by Years Experience, Specialty and Employer Type

Bachelor's Degree – Years 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

find colleges with music business degrees

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
find colleges with music business degrees
Music Industry Salaries by US 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


Bookmark and Share
find colleges with music business degrees