Studio Manager Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook

What does a Studio Manager do?

Studio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations at a recording studio. They handle booking and scheduling by marketing the studio to new clients and coordinating with artists, A&R reps, producers, artists managers, and record labels. They are also responsible for maintaining studio equipment and managing engineering staff. Depending on the size of the studio, they may also handle administrative tasks such as payroll and billing.

How much does this career make?

According to ZipRecruiter, Studio Maintenance Engineers maintain a national hourly wage of $16.61-37.44. This amounts to an average annual salary of $34,551 to $77,877 with the range widely depending on factors including skill and seniority level.

What impact does this career have towards the music industry?

Studio Managers are the foundation of the recording process. They are the touchpoints for all people needed to complete a recording session — making them the connectors between all studio personnel. They ensure everyone works as a team.

What is the job outlook for a Studio Manager?

Forecasts project that music revenue will double to $131 billion by 2030. In addition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the field (including Managers) are expected to grow at a rate of nine percent during the 2019-2029 decade (www.bls.gov).

How to kick-off your career:

• Look for internships at local studios.
• Explore the Clive Davis Institute at NYU x Billboard’s Music Essentials online course.
• Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Music Career Guide.

Learn from:
Jeff Rabhan
Music Industry Essentials contributor, Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music Department Chair

Related Careers:

Studio Engineer | Mastering Engineer | Mixing Engineer | Studio Owner | Studio Manager | Audio Engineer