Please see the Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed information about job trends and median expected salaries for musicians.

Career Links:

• Songwriters Resource NetworkNational Association for Music Education
• Applause
• Berklee College of Music—Careers in Music
• American Composer Forum
• Artslynx-International
• Audio Engineering Society
• International Computer Music Association
• Music Therapy Information

Career Paths

Music Education

Early, Middle, and High School Music Educator; Band, Chorus and Orchestra Teacher; College Music Educator; University Music School Administrator; Studio Teacher

Musical Performer

Instrumental: Armed Forces, Orchestra, Small Ensemble, Popular Music, or Radio/Film/TV
Vocal: Choral, Opera, Musicals, Popular Music, Radio/Film/TV Performer

Music for Worship

Organist, Choral Director, Cantor

Music Business

Sales, Marketing, Retail, A&R, Music License Administrator, Program Director

Musical Instruments

Music Maker, Technician or Piano Tuner

Conducting

Choral, Orchestra, Opera, Institutional or Small Ensemble Director

Composition

Composer, Song Writer, Arranger

Music Therapy

(can practice in various settings)
Hospitals, Special Education Facility, Clinic for Disabled Children, Nursing Home, Mental Health Facility, Correctional Facility, Private Practice, or Music Psychologist

Music Technology

Sound Engineer, Sound Designer, Recording Engineer, Recording Studio Executive, Computer Music Software Developer, Film Sound Crew, Music Producer, Post Production Engineer

Music Librarian

College, Public Library, Orchestra Library

Music Publishing

Music Editor, Music Typesetter, Sales Representative, Licensing Administrator, Publisher

Communications

Music Book Publisher, Music Book Writer, Music Periodical Publisher, Periodical Article Writer, Music Reporter (Critic), Public Relations Specialist

Transferring to a Four-Year College

The following are Massachusetts state colleges that offer a four-year music degree:

• Boston College
• Bridgewater State College
• Salem State College
• UMass Boston
• UMass Dartmouth
• UMass Lowell

The following are Massachusetts private colleges that offer a four-year music degree:

• Berklee College of Music
• Boston Conservatory
• Boston University
• Brandeis University
• Emerson College
• Harvard University
• New England Conservatory of Music
• Northeastern University
• Simmons College
• Tufts University