Music Career Outlook

A program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media. A degree in music can qualify individuals for a variety of occupations as well as further study in a graduate or professional program in law, education, or social work to name a few.

To find out more about your major including potential areas and employers, required skills, job outlook, and median pay, please access the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the O*Net website.

Career Outlook

Explore the subsections below to learn more about the potential skills a student with a music major can develop as well as the potential positions, areas, and employers that hire students with this degree. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.

Skills

As a music major, students may develop or advance skills including analytical, communication, research, critical thinking, social perception, writing, cross-cultural awareness, judgment, performance, performance review, decision making, advocacy and improvisation.

Positions

Graduates with a degree in music can work as arts administrators, band directors, music composers and arrangers, music producers, music therapists, music critics/reviewers, musicians, and singers.

Areas

Graduates with a degree in music can work within the following areas: education, broadcasting, journalism, human services, recording industry, publishing.

Employers

Graduates with a degree in music can work for conservatories, schools, colleges and universities, studios, orchestras -- philharmonic, symphony, chamber; clubs and restaurants, cruise lines, opera companies, musical theater companies, motion picture and television, music libraries.