The advent of AI technology concerns people all over the world in 2024. With this in mind, plenty of jobs risk disappearing or becoming unpopular and low-paid. However, jobs in the music industry are still in high demand.
We have teamed up with Jooble experts to share with you the latest music industry jobs report. Keep reading to find out about the rising demand, and discover the top music jobs and the best cities for music professionals based on the job openings published on Jooble.
This is a must-read for music teachers, students, composers, songwriters, and anyone eager to build a rewarding career in the music industry.
Read also: 99% of Artists Struggle to Make It to Mid-Level, Let Alone Become Mainstream or Superstars, Study Reveals
Music Industry Jobs on the Rise
According to Jooble researchers, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 music industry jobs open up each month in the US. The demand increases by 30% during the winter and before summer vacations. This trend can be explained by the fact that educational establishments need music and teachers for workshops, individual lessons, or training during this time.
Job opportunities remain relevant during the winter and summer for performers. At the same time, technical and managerial positions are open throughout the year, showing steady demand for behind-the-scenes roles that keep the music industry stable, even during economic and social challenges.
Top 5 Music Industry Job Listings in 2024
If you're looking for a job in the music industry, these vacancies might catch your interest. Here are the top five music professions with the most job openings on Jooble:
- Music Teacher (vocal/instrumental) – 11,500 job openings annually.
- Music Director – 3,000 job openings.
- Music Instructor – 2,500 job openings.
- Musicians – 650 job openings.
- Sound Designer – 250 job openings.
Music teachers, both vocal and instrumental, hold top positions in the industry being recruited all year round. For those with proven expertise in both teaching and performance, it's an excellent opportunity to build a solid and promising career.
It's worth noting that sound designers and music directors are in demand for various productions, from movies to live performances, making these positions highly competitive and financially rewarding.
Read also: How Can Musicians Make (More!) Money Online & Offline
Seasonal Music Jobs
Each season brings new job opportunities. For instance, during the summer period, musicians and performers are often hired for fairs, concerts, live street events, and other seasonal gigs.
If you're looking for part-time summer work, there are also a lot of cruise ship job opportunities for musicians looking to combine travel with their passion. Most job seekers start searching for roles in New York, NY, and Washington, DC, in April or May — just in time for the summer gig season and peak cruising months.
Top Cities for Music Jobs
While music-related jobs are available throughout the country, some cities are famous for always having plenty of opportunities. The top cities by the number of music job vacancies include Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Danville, PA, and Nashville, TN.
Unsurprisingly, entertainment hubs like Los Angeles and New York have always led the way, thanks to their large music and film industries. However, before you get too excited, keep in mind that these locations are known for fierce competition. The more popular the place, the more effort you must put into winning a position.
But if you're looking for a cozy and authentic environment, head to Danville, PA, where you'll find a significant number of music-related jobs, especially in teaching and directing.
Top Searches in the Music Industry
An interesting highlight from 2024 is that about 20% of music-related job searches on Jooble were for roles like music composers. Overall, the top 10 most searched positions were the following:
- Music composer
- Music teacher
- Sound designer
- Music producer
- Sound engineer
- Church musician
- Musician cruise ship
- Songwriter
- Musicians hotels
- Singer.
If you think the music industry is blooming only in the USA, you might be wrong. There’s also been an increase in demand for music teacher jobs in China, with demand so high it can even compete with cities like Los Angeles. So if you have been thinking about exploring music jobs abroad, it might be worth trying your luck there.
Other Music Industry Jobs to Consider
There are many other lesser-known but still valuable career options in the music industry. Roles like senior music royalty analysts, web designers, developers for music websites, and senior managers are in high demand, offering great potential for those with specialized skills.
Are you a tech-savvy expert with a passion for music? Roles in web development or sound engineering might be just perfect for you to practice both your hard and creative skills.
Final Word
Jobs in the music industry seem like a secure option in the 2024 job market. Whether you're looking to perform, sing, teach, or work behind the scenes, there are plenty of careers for everyone. The only thing you need to do is keep an eye on trends and demand. Job aggregators like Jooble can always help you with this task.
If you're new to the industry but full of ambition, our best advice is to start in major cities like Los Angeles or New York. Madonna, Cardi B, and JLo all started there, and these cities are always looking for fresh talent.
Stay tuned to future reports to stay updated on the latest news and insights from whichever industry you want to work in!
