Music Industry – Career Guide

The music industry is an expansive and fast-evolving field that includes much more than performance. Students interested in music can build careers in artist management, production, songwriting, education, tech, audio engineering, business operations, marketing, A&R, live events, nonprofit arts organizations, and more. Whether you’re exploring music casually or preparing for a graduate program, the resources below offer a one-stop collection of job boards, professional organizations, career guides, educational tools, and labor-market information that can help you understand roles, discover opportunities, and learn what it takes to build a sustainable career in music.

Music Career Resources Table

Categories: Job Boards • Career Guides • Professional Associations • LinkedIn Groups • Higher Ed & Academic • Music Therapy • Labor Market Info • Education & Training

🎵 Job Boards & Internship Sites

Career TopicResourceBlurb
Music Job ListingsMusic Business Worldwide – Job BoardRoles at major labels, publishers, distributors, and music-tech companies.
Music Job ListingsMusicCareers.co – JobsEarly-career listings across the global music industry.
Music Industry JobsRostr – Jobs
(Filtered by NYS)		Listings in modern music companies, management teams, and artist services.
Music JobsAVA Arts Job BoardEntertainment and arts job listings, including many music roles.
Music InternshipsAVA InternshipsMusic and arts-focused internships.
Entertainment JobsShowbizJobs – Music Jobs
(Filtered Applied – Entry-Level)		Roles in labels, live events, touring, and entertainment companies.
Music InternshipsShowbizJobs – Music InternshipsMusic and entertainment internship listings.
Music JobsMusic-Jobs.comA large global music job board with wide coverage.
Music CompaniesMusic-Jobs.com – CompaniesBrowse U.S. music companies by category and specialization.
Music CompaniesMusic Companies – LinkedIn Browse music companies on LinkedIn (Filters used: Musicians, Retail Musical Instruments, Sheet Music Publishing)
Job TypesMusic-Jobs.com – Job DescriptionsOverview of common job titles and responsibilities in the industry.
Magazine / NewsMusic-Jobs.com – MagazineArticles, interviews, and news for professionals and early-career students.
Academics & Education JobsHigherEdJobs – Music PositionsMusic-related teaching and administrative roles in higher education.
General Music JobsLinkedIn Jobs (Music Filters)Live job listings in the music, entertainment, and media industries.
Job BoardAMTA – Music Therapy CareersEmployment listings for credentialed music therapists.
Job Boards for Dancers
25+ Job Boards for Dancers
The Working Dancer – Shaté L. Hayes		“Use these resources in conjunction with your ongoing efforts of taking classes regularly, networking, and being the go-getting hustler that you are, and you’ll have a well-rounded system from which to build your career. 

Note: The Working Dancer is not responsible for the accuracy or nature of posts published by these job boards.  Be sure to research the validity of notices prior to auditioning or submitting.”

📚 Career Guides & Industry Insights

Career TopicResourceBlurb
Music Career PathsNAMM – Careers in MusicExtensive profiles of music careers across performance, business, and tech.
Career PathsTop 10 Music Careers in the USAOverview of popular paths and what they involve.
Music Major Career PlanningMajoringInMusic – Career ChoicesStudent-friendly guidance for exploring career options.
Application MaterialsMajoringInMusic – Essays & ResumesHelp with writing resumes, personal statements, and applications.
Resume TipsWriting a Resume for the Music IndustryIndustry-specific resume tips for standing out to hiring teams.
Beginner’s GuideThe Beginner’s Guide to Working in MusicA helpful overview of how the music industry is structured and where to start.
FreelancingUltimate Guide for Music FreelancersStrategies for freelance success in music.
Magazine / NewsMusic-Jobs.com – MagazineArticles, interviews, and news for professionals and early-career students.
Career Guides / BlogMusicCareers BlogArticles and advice for launching music careers.
Performance & Career SkillsMusician’s Way – Music CareersResources on performance careers, professional growth, and self-promotion.

🧑‍🏫 Education & Schools

Career TopicResourceBlurb
Music SchoolsMajoringInMusic – Eastern U.S. SchoolsDirectory of music programs in the Eastern United States.
Further Education One‑page Guide (Tailored to the Creative Arts, Media & Marketing Career Cluster)Further Education One-page GuideThis guide is your one-stop spot for everything related to further education in the creative arts, media, and marketing fields.

📊 Resources for Specific Careers in Music

Career TopicResourceBlurb
Postsecondary TeachingO*NET – Postsecondary Music Teachers (25-1121.00)Key tasks, skills, and education requirements for teaching at the college level.
Music Teacher DevelopmentMTNA – Career DevelopmentSupport and resources for emerging music educators.
Music TherapyO*NET – Music Therapists (29-1129.02)Detailed info on this profession.
MusiciansO*NET – MusiciansDetailed info on this profession.
Music Directors & ComposersO*NET – Music Directors & ComposersDetailed info on this profession.
Instrument RepairO*NET – Musical Instrument RepairersDetailed info on this profession.

🎼 Professional Associations & Networks

Career TopicResourceBlurb
Chamber MusicChamber Music AmericaNational service organization supporting chamber musicians and ensembles.
Composers & ArrangersASMAC – ResourcesEducational materials for arrangers, orchestrators, and composers.
Musical America – WorldwideMusicalAmerica.com/For over 100 years, Musical America Worldwide has been the voice of the performing arts industry. Musical America provides the digital and print touchpoints for performing arts professionals to reach out to each other to further their art and their businesses.

💬 LinkedIn Groups (Networking & Community)

Career TopicResourceBlurb
LinkedIn Groups:LinkedIn Search – Music GroupsExplore a wide range of music-related networking groups.
Music Industry ForumCommunity for networking with music professionals.
Music Business ProfessionalsDiscussions on music careers and industry trends.
Music Industry: WORLDWIDEExploring and connecting the music business- A place to connect, learn, collaborate, create partnerships, and build contacts throughout the world.
Music ProfessionalsThis is a networking group for all of you that are related with the music: Musicians, Composers, Singers,… Or simply, think that the Music is one of their main lives part.
Music and BandsTalking and sharing all things music and what they are working on in the music and entertainment industry.
Music Industry NetworkA group for musicians and music industry professionals to share ideas, network, and create new opportunities in the music world.

Conclusion:

These curated resources bring together job boards, professional associations, academic pathways, networking groups, and detailed career guides to help students at any stage explore and pursue careers across the music industry. Whether you’re searching for internships, researching graduate programs, developing specialized skills, or learning about specific job roles, this set of tools provides a comprehensive launch point for your music-career journey.

As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

ReminderWhat This Means for You
Use Multiple SourcesInformation about careers and education can vary depending on where you look. Try checking several websites and resources when researching anything related to your career development (for example: job outlooks, salaries, industry trends, graduate programs, or fellowships, etc.). This will help you get a fuller, more accurate picture of what employers or admissions committees are looking for.
Make Sure to NetworkTalking directly with people associated with your career goals or the programs/companies you’re interested in can give you the clearest and most useful insights. Reach out to professionals, recruiters, alumni, or current students to learn what really matters in your field (for example: company expectations, hiring timelines, résumé preferences, graduate program requirements, etc.). Even within the same industry or graduate program type, different organizations and admissions committees may value things differently. Listening carefully to their guidance can help you put your best foot forward.
Use AI Ethically in Career DevelopmentAI tools can be a great resource for brainstorming, polishing materials, or practicing interview questions (for example: outlining position description details to guide your documents, generating practice questions, etc.). But it works best when you use it thoughtfully and make sure the final work reflects your own skills and voice. Some employers and graduate programs may not allow AI, so always check instructions carefully. Think of AI as a helper, not a replacement—and remember, Career Consultants are happy to guide you on how to use it effectively!
Be Aware of Employment Scams When searching for jobs or internships, it’s important to stay alert for potential scams—especially when exploring positions outside of Binghamton’s Handshake. Common warning signs include requests for personal or financial information upfront, job offers without interviews, or anything that seems “too good to be true.” To learn more about what to watch for, see real examples, and find out how to protect yourself or respond if you encounter a scam, check out Employment Scam Information – Binghamton University. Staying informed helps you pursue opportunities safely and confidently.

Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.

Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.

Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.

Attend Drop-ins:
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Picture Source: Freepik.com

Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.

AI Assistance: Portions of this resource may have been developed with support from AI tools (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Gemini), used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content has been reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.