Page 15 - Love of Music St. Louis Magazine

The Music Industry Careers

We all want to be that artist that performs in stadiums every night. FOH Engineer-Front of house (FOH) engineers are responsible
Has a silhouette that is copyrighted. Has lyrics that people use as for mixing an artist’s stage monitors so that the artist can hear
a hashtag. Can bring peace to warring countries with a landmark exactly what they need (or want!) on stage for a flawless show. On
concert. So famous that they don’t need a last name. Unfortu- a national level, FOH engineers can make great money and may
nately, chances are slim. But we can still enjoy a lasting career be at dinner with their top artist eating Kobe beef!
working in a section of an industry you love so much you fall
asleep with it every night: music. Lighting Technician-Electrical Light Technicians (ELT) will hang
a truss system or set up lighting stands and choose from PARs,
The music industry is vast and multi-faceted. For space concerns scanners, lasers or FX lights to run the visual part of a musical
we will list a small fraction of the jobs available in the music in- performance. Make sure you become familiar with DMX (lighting
dustry and a short description. Sound like it fits you to a “T”? A protocol) and fog juice!
little research and you may be looking your new career in the eye.
Luthier-Someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments.
Accompanist-Being a musician 101. Can’t be Madonna? Be her You could be restringing violins for the symphony or building a
keyboard player. A lot of energy and soul-searching goes into be- custom made Englemann spruce top 12-string guitar with quilted
ing a front person. If your wheelhouse is in keeping chops up and maple back and sides with a purpleheart fretboard.
honing your craft, advertise your services as an accompanist.
Merchandiser-A great way to combine your love of music with
Arranger-Arrangers rewrite a composition and add or subtract a practical application. A background in sales would help your
chords or orchestrate new elements like a string section or a vocal learning curve on this one. Being surrounded by swag is a cool
choir. Are people constantly asking you how you came up with all career move, too.
the parts on your album? Arrange parts for their new tracks and
charge your fee. Music Journalist-Write stories about bands, albums, artists and
genres. A great way to immerse yourself in your passion and voice
Booking Agent-Someone who works with an artist or group to your angle.
book gigs, concerts, performances or festivals. You may not be
talented with complex chord changes but you can tell which Retail Sales Associate-These positions are available across the
band is ready to hit the big venues. market. You could sell records and CDs (yeah, that’s still a thing),
musical instruments, musical merchandise or really anything
Copyright Assistant-Someone who assists in collecting having to do with music if you’re creative.
or distributing royalties to copyright holders. Copyright
Assistants often work for ASCAP, BMI or the RIAA.
Music Industry Pay Scale

Accompanist -General Business (GB) $1,000 - $2,500 per gig Bands are specifically designed to play covers
or Cover band for events like weddings, corporate functions,
and private parties.
Arranger $20,000 - $43,000+

Booking Agent $20,000 - $3,000,000 (Commissions range, typically 10% - 20% of
the act’s gross income per show)

Copyright Assistant $30,000 - $35,000
at Music Publishing Company

(FOH) Engineer $60,000 - $120,000+
Front-of-House Engineer

Lighting Director $500 - $1,000 per week

Instrument Maker - Luthier $15,000 - $65,000

Merchandiser $1,000 per week Theater/Arena-level touring

Music Journalist $15,000 - $30,000
Retail Sales Associate:
Music Dealer – Sales $13,000 - $50,000 Salary often tied to commissions

Music Instrument Distributor $19,000 - $75,000 Salary often tied to commissions
*Salary ranges for U.S. Music Positions from Music Careers In Dollars and Cents by Berklee College of Music 2016 Edition.

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