Music composers use their knowledge of music theory and harmony to write original musical works, as well as arrange/rearrange existing pieces.
Becoming a music composer requires a strong understanding of music theory and substantial experience engaging with music in some way, such as playing an instrument in a concert band or being part of a choir, orchestra, or marching band.
Some composers may have master’s or doctorate degrees in composing, while others may lack any amount of formal education in music.
A day in the life of a composer looks quite different from composer to composer, so there are many paths this career can take you.
Since music exists in many different forms and serves many purposes in our everyday lives, music composers have many other job options.
A music composer could involve writing songs for bands, singers, musical theater, or ballet performances, to give a few examples of the many types of composing careers out there.
Composers may write song lyrics, experiment with computer-generated sounds, and research existing music styles for inspiration. Some composers choose to specialize in a specific genre of music, such as classical or jazz, or a form of media like film.
It is also common for composers to meet with musicians or other performers to collaborate during the recording process.
There are tons of different ways a day in the life of a music composer can look, so it is helpful to have a certain type of composing in mind while researching this career.
For those considering pursuing a career as a music composer, read on to learn some essential information, like what salaries different composers earn, what composing jobs are out there, and more.
Salary – How Much Do Concert & Film Composers Make?
How much music composers earn depends on the kind of composing they do, and by whom they are employed.
For example, concert composers — those who write pieces for an orchestra, choir, etc.) and video game composers have vastly different responsibilities, and therefore, can have very different salaries.
According to Comparably, music composers in the United States earn from as little as $20,183 to a whopping $542,164, with a median of $106,638.
Concert composers tend to make money from commissions and royalties. Many are employed by universities.
Composers who are also college music professors or conservatory instructors can earn anywhere from $77,000 to $150,000+ a year, with an average annual base salary of $95,000.
The average film composer, on the other hand, earns a much more modest salary of $35,200, although annual pay for film composers can range anywhere from $21,070 to $101,150.
Of course, a high-profile film composer can earn far more than these numbers.
For television composers, salary depends on the duration and budgets of each series they work on. Some sources estimate that a composer could earn as much as $330,000 during the second season of a successful show.
The yearly pay for video game composers also varies wildly, with salaries starting at $10,193 and reaching as high as $268,601. Most video game composers make between $50k and $120k a year; the median salary for this career is $48,891.
Since businesses are uncommon to have a full-time jingle writer on staff, most jingle composers are employed part-time or as independent contractors.
The salary for jingle writers depends on how often they can sell their jingles, how much income they earn from other jobs, and more.
As a result, there is no specific median salary for jingle writers, although a rough estimate is about $50,000, the national average for composers and music directors in general.
What Jobs Can Someone With a Composition Degree Get?
There are many different jobs out there for someone with a composition degree.
Since music is a highly valued component of so many different things, there is a vast array of types of composition one could do for a living.
Wherever there is music, there is a need for a qualified composer, whether it’s cellphone ringtones, elevator music, sound effects, miscellaneous devices, or anything else that might involve music.
Composing film scores, video game music, and concert pieces for an orchestra are just a few examples of the different paths to a career in composing.
Classical composition is one standard career option for people who have a music composition degree. Classical composers may write music for dance companies, symphony orchestras, performing arts centers, opera houses, private commissions, and more.
Additionally, concert composers often have professorships to supplement their income. These people have typically reached a doctorate degree in their field.
Musical theater composers specialize in writing music for live performances, from conventional musical plays to circuses, cabarets, and experimental works.
Another job for someone with a composition degree is jingle writing. Jingle writers are composers who write catchy songs for advertisements.
People with a degree in composition can also excel at jobs related to composing since knowledge of composition is helpful for many different careers in the music industry.
For example, arranging musical pieces as a staff member under another composer, or being an assistant to a composer is an option. These jobs typically entail editing drafts of works and bringing them to their final form.
With a composition degree, you could also become a music journalist. Writing about music-related news is a great way to stay in the loop about the music industry, which can help aspiring composers connect with employers and professional composers in the area.
How Can You Make a Career As a Composer?
If you want to make a living as a professional music composer, some essential attributes are robust and vast knowledge of music theory, exceptional musical skill, and the ability to think creatively.
Many aspiring composers attend a music school or study in a music conservatory program to develop and refine their musical ability and understanding of music theory.
Studying music composition in an academic setting allows students to develop a deep understanding of the fundamentals of composition and music theory and other skills music composition requires.
Having a formal education in music is not strictly required for all composing jobs, so not having a composition degree will not prevent you from pursuing this career. Many successful composers do not have music degrees, so it is still possible to make a career as a composer without one.
In general, however, most composers opt to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in music composition.
In addition to having extensive knowledge of music and exceptional musical ability, many composers will find that their work relies heavily on technology.
For film and video game composers, for example, it is essential to have all the equipment producing finished works from a studio laptop or computer requires, as well as expert knowledge about how to use it all, particularly for film & video game composers.
Most composers will need access to software such as Logic Pro or Ableton Live and a number of orchestra samples to simulate the real thing. Additionally, skills like notating music digitally in a program like Finale are crucial for many composers.
In essence, making a career as a music composer is a matter of honing your music ability, learning as much as you can about music theory, and knowing how to use your knowledge and skills to bring the melodies in your mind into reality.
Should You Pursue a Career As a Composer?
If you are debating whether or not you should pursue a career as a music composer, there are several factors you will need to take into account in your decision-making process.
For one, it is essential to know what kind of pieces you would like to compose.
Having a sense of what job you want to do within the broad umbrella of composing will be helpful when comparing salaries and employment data for that kind of composer versus the more general figures.
Another important consideration is your education.
If you do not have a degree in music, ask yourself if you are open to getting one. If going to school for music composition sounds like something you would be happy doing, you will have more options when seeking employment.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in music composition, ask yourself if you want to attend graduate school.
Knowing what jobs you can or cannot get with whatever level of education you have will narrow the possibilities and help you truly visualize what a career in composing would look like for you.
At the end of the day, whether or not you should become a music composer depends heavily on your interests. If you are passionate about writing music, composing could be a great career.
