Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook —
What does a Music Supervisor do?
Music Supervisors select and license music to pair with visual media such as film, tv, advertising, and video games. In addition, they negotiate the use and cost of licensing for all preexisting music, oversee cue sheets, and track the credits list.
How much does a this career make?
According to ZipRecruiter, Music Supervisors maintain a national hourly wage of $18.75-50 in 2021. This amounts to an average annual salary of $39,000 to $104,000 with the range widely depending on factors including skill and seniority level.
What impact does this career have towards the music industry?
Music Supervisors use music to help audiences connect with visual moments on screen. They have to understand the emotional stakes of scenes or overall projects, and carefully select music to heighten the experience for the audience.
What is the job outlook for a Music Supervisor?
Forecasts show that music revenue will more than double to about $131 billion by 2030. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the field (including Supervisors) are expected to grow at a rate of nine percent during the 2019-2029 decade (www.bls.gov).
How to kick-off your career:
- Watch your favorite films and study how music is used in different scenes.
- Network with film students, especially the Yellowbrick Film Facebook Group (students only).
- Explore the Clive Davis Institute at NYU x Billboard’s Music Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Music Career Guide.
Learn from:
Mark Frieser
Music Industry Essentials contributor, Founder and CEO Sync Summit
Related Careers:
Licensing Representative | Sync Licensing Specialist | Music Licensing Counsel | Music Clearance Specialist | Field Merchandiser | Radio Programmer
