25 Music Industry Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Know About)

25 Music Industry Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Know About)

Explore These Hidden Music Careers — Some Pay Over $100K a Year

When people think of music careers, they picture pop stars, producers, or maybe the occasional DJ. But the music industry is a vast, intricate ecosystem powered by many unsung heroes. If you're passionate about music but not keen on the spotlight, here are 25 music positions that fly under the radar — and might just pay your bills.

1. Orchestrator – $40,000–$100,000/year

Translates a composer’s ideas into full orchestral scores. Essential in film, game, and musical theater scoring.

2. Mix Assistant – $35,000–$70,000/year

Works under mixing engineers, prepping sessions, labeling tracks, and handling edits. Great for breaking into engineering.

3. Music Supervisor – $50,000–$120,000/year

Chooses and licenses songs for TV, film, and games. Requires a deep knowledge of music and copyright.

4. Instrument Tech (Backline Technician) – $40,000–$90,000/year

Keeps artists’ gear in perfect shape during tours. Knows every screw on a Stratocaster.

5. Live Sound System Designer – $60,000–$100,000/year

Designs the blueprint for stadium-level sound. Think acoustics meets engineering.

6. Sound Branding Specialist – $50,000–$110,000/year

Creates sonic identities for brands — like Intel’s iconic chime.

7. Music Data Analyst – $70,000–$130,000/year

Combines music knowledge with data science to track trends and optimize streaming performance.

8. Stage Manager (Live Music) – $40,000–$80,000/year

Runs the show behind the scenes, cueing lighting, audio, and performers.

9. Notation Software Specialist – $45,000–$90,000/year

Trains composers and publishers to use tools like Finale, Sibelius, or Dorico.

10. Synthesizer Programmer – $50,000–$100,000/year

Designs custom patches and sound banks for artists or software companies.

11. Music Publicist – $40,000–$90,000/year

Shapes an artist’s public image, landing media features and interviews.

12. Label Product Manager – $60,000–$120,000/year

Oversees marketing and release strategy for an artist’s record.

13. Scoring Assistant (Film/TV) – $35,000–$75,000/year

Supports composers by organizing sessions, editing MIDI, and preparing cues.

14. Musicologist – $50,000–$95,000/year

A researcher specializing in music history, genres, and cultural impact. Often works in academia or publishing.

15. Royalty Coordinator – $45,000–$85,000/year

Ensures that artists, writers, and publishers get paid accurately.

16. Foley Artist (Music-Focused Projects) – $40,000–$80,000/year

Creates sound effects for visual media — including musical moments that need subtle sonic detail.

17. Sample Clearance Specialist – $50,000–$100,000/year

Navigates the legal maze of getting samples legally approved for commercial use.

18. Metadata Specialist (Streaming Services) – $45,000–$90,000/year

Tags and categorizes tracks to make them discoverable on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

19. Show Caller (Music Festivals) – $50,000–$90,000/year

Coordinates every cue during a festival’s performance schedule, from lights to video screens.

20. Music Therapist (Special Populations) – $40,000–$85,000/year

Uses music to treat patients with autism, PTSD, or cognitive decline.

21. Concert Booking Agent (Indie Circuit) – $50,000–$95,000/year

Finds and negotiates gigs for emerging artists, especially in niche markets.

22. ADR Music Editor – $50,000–$100,000/year

Works on dialogue replacement for music-heavy scenes in film/TV.

23. Vinyl Mastering Engineer – $60,000–$110,000/year

Prepares tracks specifically for vinyl release — a booming niche skill.

24. Sample Library Curator – $40,000–$85,000/year

Designs or organizes sound libraries for music producers and composers.

25. Fan Engagement Strategist (Music Focus) – $50,000–$90,000/year

Builds loyal fanbases through targeted social campaigns, newsletters, and digital experiences.

Final Note:

If you’re dreaming of a sustainable music career, you don’t have to be a headliner. These hidden roles prove the industry needs much more than talent onstage — it needs savvy minds behind the curtain. Explore, specialize, and carve your own path in music.