Updated 2026 Edition!
Music School Admissions:
Ultimate DIY GUIDE
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What Can My Child Actually Do With a Music Degree, and Will They Be Able to Support Themselves Financially?
Listen to what Dr. Fish has to say…
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Quick Answer
A music degree opens far more doors than performing on stage. Graduates work as music teachers, therapists, audio engineers, composers, music supervisors, arts administrators, and producers. The average music major earns around $52,000 annually, with school music teachers typically earning $45,000–$60,000 and postsecondary music faculty earning a median of $77,280. Financial stability usually requires combining income streams — teaching, gigging, and freelance work — especially in the early years.
Why It Matters
Music graduates develop discipline, creativity, and collaboration — transferable skills employers across many industries actively value and seek.
Steps to get it right
- Choose a degree with career pathways
- Pursue internships early and often
- Build income from multiple sources
- Add a teaching license if possible
- Network relentlessly within the industry
FAQs
Q: Can a music graduate really earn a living wage without being a famous performer?
A: Yes, reliably so — but usually not through performance alone. Most financially stable music graduates combine two or three income sources: private teaching, school employment, session or gig work, or roles in music production and administration. Music therapy is a particularly stable path, with a median salary of $60,280 and steady job growth projected through 2034.
Q: What music degree specializations lead to the best financial outcomes?
A: Music education (leading to K–12 or higher education teaching) and music therapy consistently provide the most predictable salaries and job security. Music technology and audio engineering are also strong, given the growth of streaming and content creation industries. Pure performance majors face the most financial volatility, particularly without supplemental teaching or freelance skills.
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