We’re back in New York! 🗽

Catch us tonight at the Capital One Café in Union Square from 6-8 PM for a LIVE taping of our podcast, Two Cents! This episode’s topic? Savings 💰

Space is limited, be sure to save your spot by signing up here!

Once you’ve grabbed your seat, scroll down for this week’s spotlight: careers in the music industry 🎶

Lead Software Engineer, Capital One: $175K-$220K (McLean & Richmond, VA)

Senior Associate, Program Analyst, KPMG: $61K-$126K (Multiple Locations)

Senior Manager, Social Media, Sol de Janeiro: $115K-$125K (New York, NY)

Program Manager, Gates Foundation: $140K-$210K (Seattle, WA)

Coordinator, Music Programming, SiriusXM: $21/hr (Los Angeles, CA)

Careers in the Music Industry

Behind every festival lineup, album drop, and sold-out show is an entire crew you'll never see on stage. We're talking sound engineers, composers, and booking agents helping your favorite artists produce and release their craft.

This week, we're breaking down jobs in the music industry that you didn't know existed, what they do, how to break in, and what you can expect to make. Let's get into it! 🥁

🎤 Musician / Singer

Does being on stage feel like your safe place? Then life as a musician and/or singer might be your forte. These creatives thrive on bringing sounds and unique experiences to life through music.

📖 Requirements: Musical training, performance experience

🎧 Skills to master: Stage presence, creativity, adaptability, collaboration

🎬 Getting started: Play local gigs, build recordings, share your work online, and build your network with other artists and music professionals

💵 Pay: The median hourly wage according to the BLS is $42.45/hr, but this can vary wildly, with a few outliers at the top of the charts skewing results. We had the opportunity to interview these musicians in New Orleans, who said their pay fluctuates a lot, but they average around $1,000 per week.

🎚️ Producer / Director

Behind every hit is a producer shaping the sound. Producers and directors oversee recording, mixing, and creative vision.

📖 Requirements: Audio/production training or hands-on experience

🎧 Skills to master: Sound editing, project management, and technical expertise

🎬 Getting started: Intern in studios, assist on music/media projects, and build a portfolio of recordings/videos

💵 Pay: According to the BLS, the median annual wage in 2023 for this role was $82,510/year. While we haven’t interviewed a musical producer/director, we did interview a content producer in Portland, OR, who was making $80K/year in 2023 (we can assume this has increased by 3-5%, hopefully, in 2025).

🎼 Music Director / Composer

Love arranging or writing music? Composers and music directors create and organize performances for a wide range of events, from orchestras to TV commercials.

📖 Requirements: Music degree or strong composition/theory background

🎧 Skills to master: Composition, leadership, orchestration

🎬 Getting started: Write original music, collaborate with ensembles, build your portfolio and share recordings online

💵Pay: The median annual wage, according to the BLS in 2024, was $63,670/year, or about $30/hour. We interviewed a composer in New York City who had recently sold some songs for $6,000 each!

🤝 Booking Agent

Do you enjoy searching for new artists and sounds? Artist representatives and booking agents scout talent, negotiate contracts, manage gigs, and help grow an artist’s career.

📖 Requirements: Industry knowledge, networking, negotiation skills

🎧 Skills to master: Talent scouting, relationship-building, deal-making

🎬 Getting started: Intern with labels (even the small ones count!) or management teams, reach out to help local artists book shows, and grow your network

💵 Pay: The highest earnings from this role typically come from commissions and a percentage of deals closed, which vary per professional and the client they represent. According to the BLS, though, as of 2023, the median annual wage for agents and business managers was $84,900/year.

🎧 Stage & Sound Technician

If you love keeping the show going without being in the spotlight, then a stage or sound tech gig might be the move for you.

📖 Requirements: Technical education or hands-on training with instruments/sound gear

🎧 Skills to master: Audio engineering, repair, troubleshooting, logistics

🎬 Getting started: Assist local venues, shadow sound engineers, attend trade/tech programs

💵 Pay: According to the BLS, the 2024 median pay for broadcast, sound, and video technicians was $56,600/year. We got to interview a pirate reenactor and stage performer who also worked as a communications technician, making over $100K/year.

🎶 Final Notes

• Start local: Volunteer at venues, assist on projects, or help friends record the beat they can’t get out of their head. Real experience beats a perfect resume!

• Build while you learn: Create a portfolio (recordings, videos, event photos) that shows what you can do, not just what you studied.

• Network like it's your job: Show up to industry events, connect with people online, and stay in touch. Most opportunities come from who you know, especially in the entertainment industry!

• Meet the ‘Corporate Catfish’ 🐟 Her work proved discrimination is real

• Why are Gen Xers taking odd jobs? 🏒 From internships to refereeing

• Are your personal and work goals aligned? 🤝 How to create harmony

• Report finds AI could eliminate 100M jobs 😯 Which jobs are at risk?

• Grads are flocking to these 10 U.S. cities ✈️ Here’s why

See you next week for more career tips, money moves, and transparent advice! 💚