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Composer Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lionsgate

Assistant, Theatrical Music

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

Curate and organize composer reels * Organize and catalog project budgets past & present * Assist in sourcing and researching songs, composers and artists for potential use in films * Organize and ...

C the Signs

Lead Data Engineer

... systems or partners. * Assist in the recruitment and development of junior data engineers ... Airflow (Cloud Composer or self-managed) * Python and advanced SQL (BigQuery preferred) * Hands-on ...

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Composer Assistant information

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$10

$67

$125

How much do composer assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for composer assistant in the United States is $67.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $92.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Composer Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Composer Assistant, you typically need a solid background in music theory, composition, and audio editing, often supported by formal music education or relevant coursework. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, or Cubase, as well as notation software such as Sibelius or Finale, is essential. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you manage schedules, coordinate with musicians, and interpret creative direction. These abilities are crucial for supporting the composer efficiently, ensuring high-quality music production, and maintaining smooth workflow in fast-paced environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Composer Assistants in supporting music projects?

Composer Assistants often juggle multiple tasks, such as managing sheet music, organizing audio files, and coordinating communication between composers, musicians, and production teams. One common challenge is adapting quickly to changing creative directions and tight deadlines, especially when working on film or television scores. Successful Composer Assistants are detail-oriented, proactive, and flexible, ensuring smooth workflow and supporting the composer’s vision. Strong collaboration and communication skills are essential for navigating the fast-paced, team-oriented environment typical of music production.

What Does a Composer Assistant Do?

Composer assistants work under a senior composer and help them throughout the process of creating their musical project. In this role, your job duties may involve helping record audio or music, adjusting each sound, using electronic systems, installing and managing software, managing physical cables, and performing any other task necessary to keep the studio functioning properly. Many details of this job depend on what the composer needs you to do each day, so flexibility and the ability to learn new things quickly are essential to success in this role. Composer assistants may also direct other employees, complete administrative tasks, manage budgets and payments, and help maintain morale.

What is the difference between Composer Assistant vs Music Producer?

AspectComposer AssistantMusic Producer
Required CredentialsMusic or composition degree, familiarity with music softwareMusic production courses, experience with recording and mixing
Work EnvironmentStudios, rehearsal spaces, composer’s workspaceRecording studios, post-production facilities, live venues
Employer & IndustryComposers, film/TV production, advertisingRecord labels, artists, film/TV, advertising

While a Composer Assistant primarily supports composers with technical and administrative tasks, a Music Producer oversees the entire music creation process, including recording, mixing, and final production. Both roles require music knowledge, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What does a Composer Assistant do?

A Composer Assistant supports a composer in creating music by handling various tasks such as preparing sheet music, managing schedules, organizing recordings, and sometimes assisting with music notation or digital audio workstations. They serve as a link between the composer and other musicians or production staff, ensuring that the creative process runs smoothly. Their role may also include administrative duties, research, and occasionally contributing creative ideas, depending on the needs of the composer. This position is essential for allowing composers to focus more on their creative work by taking care of logistical and technical details.
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Composer Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composer Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $140,766 per year, or $67.7 per hour.
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Editing and Post Production

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Editing and Post Production

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

The School of Film and Television of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time teaching-track Faculty position in Editing and Post-Production beginning August 2026.

Candidates should have professional and preferably academic experience in post-production, including film and television editing, sound design, and finishing workflows. The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in nonlinear editing software (Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve) as well as sound post-production tools such as Avid Pro Tools and Adobe Suite sound applications.The ideal candidate will approach post-production as an essential part of storytelling, ensuring that editing, sound, and finishing techniques work cohesively to enhance the narrative. Experience in both narrative and documentary film, television, and emerging media formats is a plus. 

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates should have teaching experience and be passionate about undergraduate and graduate education and mentorship. 

Students in the School of Film and Television learn the art of storytelling through a combination of technologies to discover the power and joy of expressing their unique visions. Through collaborative teamwork, they refine and apply their practical and interpersonal skills in and outside the classroom to tell impactful stories. These hands-on experiences equip them with the skills needed to excel in the job market and to pursue the career paths of their choosing.  

As a metropolitan campus with deep connections to Chicago's diverse media and information landscape, faculty and students in the School of Film and Television are part of a connected city-wide learning laboratory that prepares them to be empowered voices, deeply skilled artists and cultural producers, and leaders in the future of our collective media industries. 

The ideal candidate will approach post-production as an essential part of storytelling, ensuring that editing, sound, and finishing techniques work cohesively to enhance the narrative. Experience in both narrative and documentary film, television, and emerging media formats is a plus.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates should have teaching experience and be passionate about undergraduate and graduate education and mentorship.

Students in the School of Film and Television learn the art of storytelling through a combination of technologies to discover the power and joy of expressing their unique visions. Through collaborative teamwork, they refine and apply their practical and interpersonal skills in and outside the classroom to tell impactful stories. These hands-on experiences equip them with the skills needed to excel in the job market and to pursue the career paths of their choosing.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Teach at the undergraduate and at the graduate level in areas assigned .

  • Engage with the broader professional and scholarly communities.

  • Supervise, advise and mentor students.

  • Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.

  • Coordinate courses in editing, sound design and finishing areas. 

  • Commit to continuing professional development.

  • Provide service to the college, profession and community

Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college's mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit here.

Required Qualifications

  • MFA or other terminal degree in filmmaking, film production, or a related media field is required with an emphasis on post-production preferred. 

  • Professional experience in film, television, advertising, and / or digital media post-production. 

Desired Qualifications

Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable, including proficiency in the following areas: 

  • Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve (editing / color correction).

  • Avid Pro Tools and Adobe Suite sound applications (sound design and finishing). 

  • Strong understanding of storytelling through editing and sound, including pacing, rhythm, emotional impact, and immersive audio techniques.

  • Knowledge of post-production workflows, including sound mixing, color grading, and VFX integration.

  • Ability to collaborate with directors, cinematographers, and sound designers to craft compelling narratives.

  • Knowledge of / experience with virtual production, AI tools, and other emerging technologies in post-production is a plus.

    Application
    To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

  • A letter outlining the applicant's background, qualifications, and vision for the position.

  • A curriculum vitae.

  • Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

  • A statement of teaching philosophy.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college. 

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago's South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice. 

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

  • Position subject to a background screening.

  • This is a non-union position.

  • This position is overtime exempt. 

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender 

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