How Much Do Music Producers Make? (2024)

What is the Average Salary of a Music Producer?

Do you love recording, mixing, and mastering music? Is your passion creating unique and dazzling sounds?

If so, you shouldn't delay your passion any longer.

Being a Music Producer can be time-consuming and exhausting, but the reward certainly outweighs the cost!

Speaking of cost, there probably is one more major question you have before diving into a Music Producer career.

How much do music producers make?

Let's talk about that.

How Much Can You Earn as a Music Producer?

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (1)

Firstly, let's give a small description of what a Music Producer does.

Essentially, a music producer helps artists within the studio record and create professionally sounding music.

A music producer often works closely with the artists and musicians to develop a solid tone and feel in the recording. They will also engage with multiple technical professionalsneeded to record the music and supervise engineers in the studio.

If the relationship and trust between the musicians and producer is strong enough, the music producer may also offer artistic input and suggestions regarding the arrangement or songwriting.

So, now that we have that down, let's start talking salary!

According to payscale.com, Music Producers average salary is $50,986.Now, it is important to understand this figure is anaverage.

The pay scale they list ranges from the low-end of $29,000 to the high-end of $99,000.

There will always be outliers on both sides, but this is a pretty good basis to take into consideration.

According to Zip Recruiter, the average is a little higher at $89,628, but that is taking into account massive outliers, with the high-end being $371,500.

While it is entirely possible to achieve these figures, they do claim that the majority of Music Producers make close to $37,000. However, as you can see, the potential for significant financial growth is well within your grasp!

How Much Does a Music Producer Make Per Song?

When it comes to a music producer's payday, there are a few factors that come into play. These include the following:

  • Compensation: An amount discussed and structured with the artist. Sometimes a flat fee, sometimes a per-hour rate
  • Album Revenue: Typically, a music producer will command 2.5 - 3% of the album's revenue.
  • Advances: Depending on your credibility, you can receive advances along with your traditional fees.

What do these advances look like per song?

If you are a newer producer without too much of a reputation, you can expect from $0 to $3,500 per song. If you are considered a mid-level producer, your range increased to $3,500 to $7,000 per song. Finally, if your name carries weight in the music industry, you can receive up to $10,000 to $15,000 per song.

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (2)

Where Can I Study Music Production?

Don't put off your passion and delay that potentially massive payday!

If you want to capitalize on your talents and elevate your music production skills, look no further than the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media.

AIMM offers aspiring music producers a hands-on, immersive atmosphere where you will be taught by industry-leading instructors in exclusive studios.

A little bit more about AIMM's campus...

  • Recording studios
  • Performance Hall
  • Computer labs
  • Practice areas
  • Media Centerlibrary
  • Private lesson rooms
  • Astudent lounge
  • Digital practice rooms

Courses in AIMM's Music Production Degree Program

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (3)

When you enroll in AIMM's Music Production and Audio for Media Program, you receive a condensed (no filler) music education that will prepare you for the music industry.

Students will gain comprehensive knowledge regarding the techniques and theories behind:

  • Recording
  • Mixing
  • Mastering

Courses that you can eagerly anticipate when enrolled in the Music Production and Audio for Media Associate Degree include the following:

  • Pro Tools 101 (You can actually becomePro Tools Certified at AIMM)
  • DAW Editing and Processing
  • Portfolio and Web Media
  • Electronic Music Production
  • MIDI: Synthesis and Sequencing
  • Audio Post Production Techniques
  • Plus many more!

How Long is Music Production School?

AIMM's Music Production and Audio for Media Degree is comprised of 38 technical courses and can be completed in 18 months of accelerated studies, 24 months of full-time enrollment.

With an Associate Degree, you receive a comprehensive music education without all that additional filler material. Everything you learn is applicable. Time is money, and at AIMM, neither is wasted.

Don't feel like you have a lot of spare time? You might want to look into an online music production course.

Online music production programs are often shorter, offer asynchronous scheduling so you can take classes on your time, and are typically less expensive!

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (4)

Attend the College that Offers a Music Production Degree

Take your passion and career into your hands and rise to one of the top Music Producers in the Music Industry.

If you want to learn from industry-leading instructors in exclusive studios and receive a hands-on music education, discover more about the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media'sMusic Production and Audio for Media Associate Degree.

Click the button below and discover why AIMM is the perfect fit for you to elevate and jumpstart your music production career.

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (5)

Additional Resource:

How Many Years of College Do You Need For Music Production?

How Much Do Music Producers Make? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Do Music Producers Make? ›

The Short Answer On How Much Does A Music Producer Make

According to Salary.com, the music producer salary ranges between $49,080 and $61,519, with the average salary being $54,865.

Do music producers make good money? ›

The Short Answer On How Much Does A Music Producer Make

According to Salary.com, the music producer salary ranges between $49,080 and $61,519, with the average salary being $54,865.

How much do music producers make on a song? ›

How much money can you make as a music producer? As a music producer, you can make anywhere between $200 and $3,000 per song, depending on your experience, the client's budget, and many other factors.

Do music producers get paid more than artists? ›

The recording of the song is what we refer to as the“masters”. It's what the label invests all of their time and money in selling to the public thus it is an important way for an artist and producer to get paid. Usually, a producer makes 3% to 5% (20% to 25%) of the artists share of a master recording.

Who is the highest paid music producer? ›

20 Richest Music Producers in the World
  1. Dr. Dre – $820 million.
  2. Quincy Jones – $500 million.
  3. Rick Rubin – $400 million.
  4. Kanye West- $400 million.
  5. Max Martin – $350 million.
  6. Calvin Harris – $300 million.
  7. Pharrell Williams – $250 million.
  8. Nile Rodgers – $200 million.
Jun 7, 2023

Who gets paid more artist or producer? ›

Most times producers receive a percentage of around 3 to 5% of the record's sale price or 20 to 25% of the artist's share. This can vary depending on the producer and on the recording artist. If the artist is signed to an indie label or is independent, the producer usually takes a higher percentage.

Is music producer a stable career? ›

Yes, music production is a good career for someone passionate about music and willing to work hard to establish themselves in the field. This is not a traditional career profession and therefore provides unique benefits and challenges.

Do producers get 50 royalties? ›

If you're a new artist and have no money to pay a producer up front, you can expect to land on a 50/50 royalty deal with the producer — and ownership rights. But if you're giving ownership to your producer, get them to sign something that says you as the Artist can admin the track.

What is the highest paid in the music industry? ›

The Top 5 Highest Paying Music Career Jobs
  • Job Titles: Sound Engineer. Music Degree Needed: Music Production. ...
  • Job Title: Recording Engineer. Music Degree: Electronic Music Production and Sound Design. ...
  • Job Title: Music Professor. ...
  • Job Title: Music Therapist. ...
  • Job Title: Music Director or Composer.
Jun 3, 2022

Is it hard to make a living as a music producer? ›

Whether you're looking to make some extra cash on the side or you want a full-time career, it's easier than ever to make money as a music producer. However, many producers don't know where to begin to start making money off their music.

Do song producers get royalties? ›

Most of the time, a producer will get paid a flat fee for their work in addition to some royalties on the backend. Like, $1,500 fee to record the song plus 20% on the net royalties. For indie artist deals (self-released or small indie label) producers are typically getting 15-25% of net royalties.

Are music producers millionaires? ›

Yes – Music Producers Can Become Millionaires.

A few notable music producers immediately come to mind when I think of millionaire producers. You've got Timbaland, who made hit after hit in the early two thousands, Metro Boomin, who recently sold part of his catalogue for a whopping 70 million dollars.

Do you need college to be a music producer? ›

There's not a fixed standard educational requirement for becoming a music producer, but most employers look for candidates who have a bachelor's degree in music production or a related field, such as music performance, music theory or audio engineering.

Is it hard to make money as a music producer? ›

Whether you're looking to make some extra cash on the side or you want a full-time career, it's easier than ever to make money as a music producer. However, many producers don't know where to begin to start making money off their music.

How do most music producers make money? ›

Radio Play/Royalties.

The original and best, to this day. Radio and other royalty collections are the life-blood of many professional music producers. National radio play can generate anything from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, while a million streams on Spotify equates to somewhere around the $6K mark.

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