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From: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/02/10-fastest-growing-jobs-in-usa/2750169/
3. Music Directors and Composers
> 10-year job growth: 178%
> 10-year job growth: 15,960
> Total employed: 24,940
> Median annual pay: $47,350It seems that Americans’ thirst for music is on the rise. This should drive job growth of music directors and composers. Another factor driving job growth for this occupation is the expected greater need for original music scores or transcriptions used in commercials and movies. In addition to musical talent and mastery of a variety of instruments, those in this occupation, especially the ones writing and conducting classical music, usually have a bachelor’s degree. About 10% of music directors and composers earned less than $21,450 annually, while the top 10% made more than $86,110, a high annual income compared with the same top 10% of other occupations on this list.
Perhaps it’s just easier to be make money as a composer today.
Certainly true for me.
I think this data might be saying something else. Perhaps it’s just easier to be make money as a composer today.
+1
I think we get a skewed perspective from a handful of people who dominate forums, like MLR, VI Control, and Gearslutz with complaints about the “race to the bottom” and how “saturated” the market is. There are a lot of people who are having a completely different, and positive experience in this business. They just don’t spend a lot of time on forums trying to fix what isn’t broken.
They just don’t spend a lot of time on forums trying to fix what isn’t broken.
Says the guy that comments on every single forum post.
Says the guy that comments on every single forum post.
If that was true I’d comment on your post. 😀
The 4th fastest growing job in the USA is…
Running a website and forum about music libraries.
:p 😀
Much to the Dude’s chagrin, I will comment on the last post. What do you make of the competitive top ten Mark?
We’re all at different places in our lives and careers, with different levels of responsibility. It seems that the “library” business has provided many more people with opportunities, and that the need for content is unlimited.
The key then is what an individual needs to earn a living. I do believe that if you’re in LA trying to be the next Hans Zimmer, the pressure must be incredible. But, what if you live somewhere that costs half as much as LA, and aren’t interested in film scoring (which has its own pressures)?
We all define success differently.
Yeah. Composing is a good job. Although there are no benefits, the pay can be great and the hours are flexible depending on what one is working on. You don’t even have to leave your house to make great music.
Today’s tools and the glut of TV shows have given a lot of people opportunities that were unimaginable 20 years ago.
Desire_Inspires
Is your plan to quit your day job and compose full time for a living?About 10% of music directors and composers earned less than $21,450 annually, while the top 10% made more than $86,110, a high annual income compared with the same top 10% of other occupations on this list.
So 80% earn between 21K and 86K…which is not really a liveable wage for those living in major European and U.S. cities…especially when you have kids to put through school.
To the newbies and hobbyists: I would advise NOT leaving your day job to compose library music.
To the newbies and hobbyists: I would advise NOT leaving your day job to compose library music.
This comment sounds to me like it’s coming from someone that is paranoid about encouraging the competition – not advice. Cost of living is relative to where you are and what your expenses are. Newbies and hobbyists – if you can swing it and have built up a solid royalty stream, more power to you!
Newbies and hobbyists – if you can swing it and have built up a solid royalty stream, more power to you!
Agreed, but not until your royalties, license fees, work for hire fees, and royalty free income are at a “liveable wage” level….and this number is very different for many people…
Bradyco, I am not advising any who is making a liveable wage composing to find a new job, just advising those getting started to hang onto their job until they can make a liveable wage.