Many think that they’re passion for music is just a hobby, which doesn’t bring money. However, there are plenty of opportunities for those who have a love for music to turn their so-called hobby into a full-time music industry job that pays well.
In fact, the music industry is one of the most profitable ones in the U.S. According to the RIAA report, total revenues from the music industry in the U.S. has grown 10% and reached $4.6 billion. These numbers prove that behind these achievements there’s hard work and massive effort coming from those people who are employed in this industry, meaning that there are opportunities for everybody who has talent in music.
However, many people don’t want to look for standard jobs in this industry, like a music teacher or a technician that repairs, tunes and restores musical instrument. Thus, we asked Maria Costanzo, an HR specialist at Flatfy, to help us find unusual job opportunities for people with musical talent.
Music Therapist
This job is perfect for those who have a degree in Psychology and have a knack for music. “Becoming a music therapist is a great way to both develop professionally and employ your musical talent as well,” says Maria.
Music therapy is a strategy that many psychologists use to help their patients relieve stress. Music has also been proven to be a powerful resource to help patients cope with physical and emotional pain.
If you want to become a music therapist, you need a certification, given by the American Music Therapy Association to support the claim that you have the skills necessary to perform the duties as a music therapist. The median salary of a music therapist, says Maria, is around $45,000. But, if you opt for private practice, you can earn twice than that.
Music Festival Organizer
Do you have a knack for music and great organizational skills? Then this option is definitely for you. Organization of music festivals requires a lot of effort, thus people who work to make these festivals happen tend to earn a lot of money. According to Indeed.com, music festival organizers can earn up to $150,000 a year, depending on the job position, of course.
There are some requirements though, says Maria. You do need to have a degree in Management, supporting your skills and abilities to run such massive events. And even if you don’t have a degree, studying to get one will definitely pay off, as you’ll get a job that pays very well.
Agent for a Music Label
Music labels are always looking for talented people who will hunt to find great musical talents and help them become legendary performers. So, if you don’t feel like becoming a singer/songwriter yourself but still want to be involved in the process, having a job as an agent for a music label is definitely for you.
This job is more about the representation than it is about finding the talent, says Maria. Agents become managers of the artists, helping them find gigs and create strategies to advance their career. You need a certain degree to perform that job. Music agents need to have a degree in music or arts management that include some courses on contract negotiation and copyright law. So, you need profound knowledge of sales, marketing, and finance.
Final Thoughts
“These are some examples of how people with musical talents can find themselves in other industries,” says Maria. Despite what you may think, this industry has a lot of options for you to consider, and opportunities that allow you to grow as a professional. You don’t have to be a starving artist: there are plenty of music industry job opportunities for you to apply your talent. Good luck!
