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Entry Level Music Royalty Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail. * Entry-level SQL skills with the ... Knowledge of digital music licensing, publishing royalties, and royalty operations. What Success ...

Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail. * Entry-level SQL skills with the ... Knowledge of digital music licensing, publishing royalties, and royalty operations. What Success ...

Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail. * Entry-level SQL skills with the ... Knowledge of digital music licensing, publishing royalties, and royalty operations. What Success ...

Entry Level Music Royalty information

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$22K

$45K

$65K

How much do entry level music royalty jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level music royalty in the United States is $45,046.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,000.00 and $50,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Music Royalty Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Music Royalty Specialist, you need a strong understanding of music industry basics, data analysis, and attention to detail, often supported by a degree in business, music, or a related field. Familiarity with royalty accounting software, spreadsheets (like Excel), and music rights databases is typically required. Excellent organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to manage tight deadlines help you stand out in this position. These skills ensure accurate royalty processing, legal compliance, and effective collaboration with artists and partners in a fast-paced industry.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level professionals working in music royalty administration?

Entry-level professionals in music royalty administration often encounter challenges such as managing large volumes of data, ensuring accuracy in royalty calculations, and keeping up with frequent changes in licensing agreements. Attention to detail is crucial, as small mistakes can lead to discrepancies in payments to artists and rights holders. Additionally, learning to navigate industry-specific software and collaborating with other departments like legal, finance, and A&R can require a steep learning curve, but it provides valuable exposure and growth opportunities within the music industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Music Royalty vs Entry Level Music Licensing Specialist?

AspectEntry Level Music RoyaltyEntry Level Music Licensing Specialist
Required CredentialsMusic industry knowledge, basic accounting or finance skillsMusic industry knowledge, legal or licensing understanding
Work EnvironmentMusic rights organizations, royalty collection agenciesMusic publishers, licensing departments, record labels
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in royalty collection and distributionUsed in licensing agreements and rights clearance

Entry Level Music Royalty focuses on collecting and distributing royalties for artists and rights holders, while Entry Level Music Licensing Specialist handles licensing agreements and rights clearance for music use. Both roles require industry knowledge but differ in their core functions within the music industry.

What are entry level music royalty jobs?

Entry level music royalty jobs are positions in the music industry that focus on tracking, collecting, and distributing royalties generated from the use of music. People in these roles often work with data entry, royalty statement processing, and assisting with licensing agreements to ensure artists, songwriters, and rights holders are properly compensated. These jobs typically require strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and a basic understanding of how music royalties work. Entry level roles are a good way to learn about music publishing and copyright, serving as a foundation for more advanced positions in the field.
More about Entry Level Music Royalty jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Music Royalty jobs? The most popular types of Music Royalty jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Music Royalty job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,046 per year, or $21.7 per hour.
Manager, Royalties

Manager, Royalties

Kobalt Music

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Manager, Royalties

Department: Royalties & Incoming Tracking & Business Intelligence
Reporting To: Senior Manager, Royalties
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Hybrid Working: 3 days in your local office
Full-time | Permanent

The Role

Joining our Royalties team in Nashville, the Royalties Manager will oversee a team of three direct reports responsible for retrieving, ingesting, and reconciling royalty data with payments from our income sources. You will play a crucial role in ensuring publishing royalty revenue is processed accurately and delivered to our clients efficiently.

This role requires a detail-oriented, highly analytical leader who can confidently navigate new process requests, iterate on existing workflows, and run point on processing our Global Digital Business deals with partners and DSPs. Working closely with the Senior Manager of Royalties, you will ensure our bespoke rights management platform remains up to date with changing industry standards and reporting requirements.

What You'll Do
  • You manage, develop, and support a team of three direct reports responsible for the retrieval, ingestion, and reconciliation of royalty data and receipts.
  • You oversee the team's processing of LatAm sources, US Major Labels, and core US sources, including YouTube and The MLC.
  • You lead the processing of Global Digital Business deals established with our partners and DSPs.
  • You work closely with the Senior Manager, Royalties to continuously develop, document, and improve our usage processing sources, ensuring operational efficiency.
  • You own processes that track expected incoming payments, ensuring the completeness of collections and maintaining responsibility for the quarterly success rate of royalty processing.
  • You interpret reporting requirements and deal structures from stakeholders across Global Digital Operations, Copyright, Technology, and Client Relations, translating them into clear operational processes.
  • You generate and maintain regular and ad hoc reports to evaluate process performance, assess automation success, and communicate impacts to client statements.
What You'll BringPreferred:
  • Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Entry-level SQL skills with the ability to independently query databases.
  • Experience creating, ingesting, and interpreting royalty reporting formats across major US Mechanical sources, including The MLC, YouTube, MRI, HFA, and Record Labels.
  • A solid understanding of statutory royalty rates across product configurations in the US, including the differences between 115 and non-115 mechanical licensing.
  • Strong Excel skills and experience working with rights management systems, whether proprietary or market-standard platforms such as Vistex.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex data requirements into clear, actionable information.
  • Experience leading or mentoring individuals within a team environment.
Additional Skills That Could Add Value:
  • Previous people management experience.
  • Experience using workflow management platforms such as Monday.com or similar.
  • Experience managing relationships with external partners and stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of digital music licensing, publishing royalties, and royalty operations.
What Success Looks LikeBy Month 3: Building Operational Knowledge

You'll have developed a strong understanding of Kobalt's royalty processing workflows, Global Digital Business deals, and key income sources. You'll be confidently supporting your team, managing day-to-day priorities, and building relationships with stakeholders across Royalties, Copyright, Technology, and Global Digital Operations.

By Month 6: Leading Operational Delivery

You'll be independently managing the team's workload, driving improvements to processing workflows, overseeing key Digital Business deal processing, and ensuring royalty data is accurately ingested and reconciled. You'll be confidently supporting your team while contributing to operational improvements across the function.

By Year 1: Driving Team Performance

You'll be a trusted leader within the Royalties team, consistently delivering high-quality royalty processing, developing your team, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring Global Digital Business reporting is delivered accurately and on time. You'll play an active role in evolving processes to support Kobalt's growing digital business.

Key Behaviours for Success

Leadership & Team Development

Supports, develops, and motivates team members while creating an environment focused on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving

Uses data and industry knowledge to investigate complex royalty issues, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions.

Organisation & Delivery

Effectively manages competing priorities while ensuring deadlines, service levels, and operational standards are consistently met..

Interview Process
  • Introductory call with a member of our Recruitment Team.
  • Interviews with the hiring manager and team.
  • Optional task or case study (role dependent).
  • Final stage interview and Q&A.
  • Feedback at each stage.

We aim to complete the full interview process from initial application to offer within three working weeks. While we do our best to meet this timeline, there may be occasional delays. If that happens, our Recruitment Team will keep you updated every step of the way.

Why Choose Us

At Kobalt, we’ve championed creators since 2000. Our technology and music services are built to make the industry more transparent, fair, and rewarding for artists, songwriters, and rights holders. We’re proud to work with some of the world’s most influential talents including Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Karol G, Young Thug, Kali Uchis, FINNEAS, and Andrew Watt as well as acclaimed writers like Simon Aldred (Rag’n’Bone Man, Liam Gallagher, Celeste) and Clarence Coffee Jr. (Dua Lipa, Lizzo, The Snuts).

We’re a company that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and progress. Our values: Music First, Transparent, Tech Powered, and Transformative. Shape how we work, build, and grow together. We are a community of people who care deeply about making a meaningful impact in music and technology.

Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in equitable access to opportunities and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. If you need any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know we’re happy to help.

If this sounds like you, then please share your story by filling out the application below. To get you in the right mood, have a listen here to songs by our talented creators, especially curated to get you in the right mood when looking for the next challenge!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. A full background check on acceptance of offer. Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.