Film Conductor
Conducts the live musicians producing the music for a motion picture.
- Job Scenarios: Working as a contractor with independent and major film studios.
- Salary: At least twice the pay of a performing musician in the same session, according to the union.
Foley Artist
Artist who creates the ambient diegetic sounds of a film or television set that were not created through the physical structure and location of the set.
- Job Scenario: Film or television set or company.
- Salary: $45,000 – $60,000
Front of House Engineer
Engineer who runs a live mixer at a venue during a musical or theatrical production. Also responsible for managing a sound team, if present.
- Job Scenario: Working for a live concert venue or independently.
- Salary: $30,000 – $100,000 +
Fundraiser / Development Assistant
Works to procure donations and funds for a music company, almost always for a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
- Job Scenarios: Working in a non-profit organization, writing applications for grants from government entities, wealthy businesses and individuals, arts organizations etc. Also helps set up events for soliciting donations.
- Salary: Average salary for a development associate in a non-profit is $52,000, according to Simply Hired.
Higher Education Teaching
Teaching at a collegiate-level university, conservatory, or liberal arts college.
- Job Scenarios: Higher education Institutions.
- Salaries:
Lecturer: $25,000 – $50,000 (Full-Time)
Assistant Professor: $40,000 – $70,000, more for a top university
Associate Professor: $65,000 – $90,000, more for a top university
Professor: $80,000 – $150,000, more for a top university
Instrument Craftsman/Builder
Compositing disparate materials to create a musical instrument.
- Job Scenarios: A music instrument factory, an independent music store, or as a sole instrument craftsman.
- Salary: $32,000 – $200,000 or more.
Instrument/Product Demonstrator
Perform instruments to advertise the quality and capability of an instrument. Rich Formidoni of Korg is a good example.
- Job Scenarios: Selling instruments through a well-known music manufacturer, such as Korg.
- Salary: Falls under the marketing department of a major business, which would probably pay between $60,000 – $120,000 for a full-time music marketing specialist.
Instrument Sales
Works at a music store to sell instruments and associated music equipment, like bows, music software, and amplifiers.
- Job Scenarios: Selling instruments at a music store, such as Guitar Center.
- Salary: $20,000 – $60,000.
Licensing Administrator
Oversees the copyrights to a specific work or collection of works. Licenses music and negotiates fees for the usage of the work.
- Job Scenarios: In a music publishing company.
- Salary: $40,000 – $50,000
Location Sound Engineer
A member of a film or television crew responsible for capturing the sound made on a set, including dialogue.
- Job Scenario: Working with professional equipment on a live television set.
- Salary: Average is $55,000 (Simply Hired)
Lyricist/Songwriter
Independent musician who writes popular tunes and songs for either personal performance or for another artist.
- Job Scenario: Working independently or with a major music studio.
- Salary: A great deal of income for a songwriter can come from licensing music for commercial usage, such as for a national television commercial, TV promotional trailer, feature film. The rates can start as low as $2,000 for major licenses and go all the way up to $100,000+. Other income can be generated from selling tickets for concerts, publishing the music, selling Mp3s, royalties, etc.
Marketing: Traditional and Digital Marketing
Working with an artist, publicist, college institution, or other musical entity to effectively market their products, concerts, etc. Includes a savvy understanding in both traditional marketing methods as well as digital marketing practices, such as social media and integrative marketing.
- Job Scenario: Working as a marketing contractor or with a music group or business. Different marketing opportunities include institutional marketing, concert hall marketing, music products marketing, record label marketing, etc.
- Salary: Anywhere from $25,000 – $100,000+
Mastering Engineer
A post-production audio recording process that transfers a final mix to its ultimate data storage device. In the process the engineer enhances the sound of the final mix using advanced software and hardware.
- Job Scenarios: Mostly Freelance
- Salaries: $500 – $1,500 are typical fees per album mastered. $100 – $300 per individual single or track.
Military Band Performer
Performs music in a military band. Most military bands exist in the US, but there are good ones that exist overseas as well.
- Job Scenarios: Employment in a professional military band.
- Salary: In the United States Air Force Band, starting pay is $2,380 per month, in addition to housing and food allowances. A portion of the salary, as well as the housing and food allowances, are tax-free.
Mixing Engineer
Music production expert responsible for blending the different tracks and elements of a musical recording. A specialized version of the “Audio Engineer.”
- Job Scenarios: As a freelance recording engineer, in a college/university recording studio, in a commercial recording studio, etc.
- Salary: Many mixing engineers also take on other aspects of a music production project, like recording and sometimes mastering. The salary can vary widely based on clientele and status, but the average, according to Simply Hired, is $47,000.