The music industry is one of the most glamorous in all of business, and with a mixture of hard work and the right breaks, anything from a comfortable living to stardom can be achieved. There are numerous roles within the field, ranging from musicians, producers and managers, to A&R directors and promoters.
An ear for a good tune is required for most positions as well as great people-skills and the realization that years of strenuous labour normally have to be put in before any rewards can be reaped, particularly if performing in a band or working as a solo artist.
Different skills and qualifications are required for each role. For musicians, education in the field isn’t as essential as it is in the case of producer, promoter, or A&R director.
Median salaries in music are difficult to measure given that work is often unpaid or scarce at times. Those working for record companies as promoters usually have a fixed salary, however.