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Freelance Music Jobs in Rutherford, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Train and mentor freelance staff through load-ins, tech rehearsals, performances, and strikes ... Minimum 5 years' experience as a production manager, project manager, or with a musical touring ...

Production Manager

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Train and mentor freelance staff through load-ins, tech rehearsals, performances, and strikes ... Minimum 5 years' experience as a production manager, project manager, or with a musical touring ...

We are the world's leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry ... Manage production timelines, budgets, vendors, and freelancers to ensure projects are delivered on ...

Temporary Recruiter

New York, NY · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

UnitedMasters has taken the bold step of building a music distribution service that, radically ... or freelance talent for agency projects. You'll serve as a trusted talent advisor to hiring ...

Production Manager

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Train and mentor freelance staff through load-ins, tech rehearsals, performances, and strikes ... Minimum 5 years' experience as a production manager, project manager, or with a musical touring ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance Music information

See Rutherford, NJ salary details

$15

$48

$134

How much do freelance music jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance music in Rutherford, NJ is $48.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $62.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance musician?

Freelance musicians are independent professionals who perform, compose, or record music without being permanently tied to a single employer or organization. They often work on a project-by-project basis, collaborating with different clients, bands, or production companies. Freelance musicians may perform at live events, record in studios, teach music lessons, or create music for media such as film, television, and advertisements. This career path offers flexibility and the opportunity to work in a variety of musical styles and settings, but it also requires strong networking and self-promotion skills.

What are freelance music jobs?

The job duties of a freelance music writer depend on their area of focus. As a freelancer, you work on a contract basis with different clients. This job title applies to two different careers: those who write music and those who write about music. Freelance music writers who compose music create musical scores and songs. Your responsibilities in this career may include writing musical content for media or advertising or writing a song for a musician or recording artist. Freelance music writers who write about music can create articles for a blog, website, or music industry publication. In addition to researching articles and conducting interviews, you must also review and edit your pieces before publishing them.

How do freelance musicians typically find and maintain a steady stream of work?

Freelance musicians often rely on a combination of networking, self-promotion, and online platforms to secure gigs and projects. Building strong relationships with other musicians, event organizers, and venues is crucial for repeat business and referrals. Many freelancers maintain an active presence on social media and specialized websites to showcase their work and connect with potential clients. Staying adaptable and continuously developing new skills, such as learning different genres or instruments, can also help musicians stand out and access more opportunities in a competitive field.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Musician, you need strong musical proficiency, versatility across genres, and often formal training or a music degree. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), recording equipment, and music production software is highly valuable. Excellent self-management, networking, and communication skills help set successful freelancers apart. These skills ensure you can deliver high-quality performances or compositions, manage your business effectively, and build a sustainable client base.

What is the difference between Freelance Music vs Freelance Audio Engineer?

AspectFreelance MusicFreelance Audio Engineer
CredentialsMusic degrees, composition, performance experienceAudio engineering certifications, technical skills
Work EnvironmentRecording studios, live venues, online platformsRecording studios, live sound setups, post-production
Industry UsageMusic production, performance, compositionSound recording, mixing, mastering, live sound

Freelance Music focuses on creating and performing music, often involving composition and performance. Freelance Audio Engineers specialize in technical sound work, including recording, mixing, and mastering. While both roles require technical knowledge, Freelance Music emphasizes artistic skills, whereas Freelance Audio Engineers focus on technical sound quality. Both roles are common in the music industry and often collaborate but serve different primary functions.

How to work as a freelance musician?

To work as a freelance musician, build a portfolio of your performances and recordings, establish an online presence through websites and social media, and network with clients, venues, and other musicians. Freelance musicians often set their own schedules, negotiate rates, and use tools like digital audio workstations and scheduling apps to manage projects. Gaining relevant skills, such as music theory and proficiency with instruments or production software, is essential for success.

What are the most commonly searched types of Music jobs in Rutherford, NJ?

The most popular types of Music jobs in Rutherford, NJ are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Music jobs in Rutherford, NJ?

For Freelance Music jobs in Rutherford, NJ, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Rutherford, NJ are hiring for Freelance Music jobs?

Cities near Rutherford, NJ with the most Freelance Music job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Music job openings in Rutherford, NJ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,159 per year, or $48.6 per hour.

Temporary Director of Photography, Men's Health and Women's Health

Hearst

New York, NY

Part-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Hearst rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 78 rated media


Job description

Men's Health and Women's Health is seeking a Temporary Director of Photography, Producer, and Editor to support our video team. This is a hands-on, doer role: you'll shoot, light, help produce, and edit in partnership with our Executive Producer and production team-bringing sharp visual taste while jumping in wherever the day needs coverage, problem-solving, or post support. This role reports to the Executive Producer.

  • DP / camera experience in digital, documentary, branded, or studio environments
  • Strong lighting + composition fundamentals with great taste
  • Producer-minded execution: You're proactive, organized, calm under pressure, and you don't wait to be told what's broken
  • Editing experience: You can confidently cut in a modern NLE (Premiere preferred; Avid/Resolve also great), build rough cuts and selects, and handle clean exports/versions for review
  • Post fundamentals: Strong file organization, audio awareness, continuity discipline, and comfort working from notes in a collaborative edit workflow
  • Schedule flexibility: Ability to support shoots as needed (including early calls and occasional travel, depending on production)
  • Shoot the work: DP and operate camera on shoots across brands and formats (studio, field, talent-driven, documentary, social-first)
  • Support production execution: Help with the practical's that keep shoots moving-run-of-show support, coordinating logistics, prepping gear, call sheet support, field problem-solving, and on-set coordination
  • Bring strong visual craft: Light and compose with intention; elevate work through strong taste in camera, lighting, framing, and movement
  • Pitch in on set: Keep sets organized and efficient-help the team stay on schedule, keep coverage clean, and communicate needs clearly
  • Edit and finish deliverables: Cut selects and assemblies; build rough cuts to producer notes; apply pacing, music, and basic sound polish.
  • Manage post camera workflow: Keep footage, audio, and project files organized; label cards/files; maintain continuity notes; prep clean handoffs (project organization, exports, and versioning)
  • Help scale crews when needed: Assist with coordinating freelancers/vendors for specific shoots (camera, sound, g&e), with oversight from senior production leadership
  • Contribute ideas: Bring references, visual approaches, and smart production solutions that keep formats fresh and push the envelope within brand

Be Part of What's Next
Shape the look and feel of premium health and wellness storytelling. As a Temporary Director of Photography, you'll bring ideas to life through camera, lighting, and edit-owning the craft while helping productions run seamlessly from start to finish.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)
Hearst Magazines is one of the world's largest publishers of premium content, with a portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Harper's BAZAAR, Men's Health, Popular Mechanics, and Seventeen. We reach audiences across platforms-print, digital, video, and social-with storytelling that informs, entertains, and inspires. Our culture is collaborative, innovative, and committed to building an inclusive environment where creativity thrives.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)
Lead camera and lighting on shoots across Men's Health and Women's Health, spanning studio, field, documentary, and social-first formats
Operate as a hands-on production partner, supporting logistics, run-of-show execution, and on-set coordination to keep shoots moving efficiently
Bring a strong visual point of view, elevating content through thoughtful composition, lighting, and camera movement
Maintain organized, high-functioning sets by communicating clearly, managing time effectively, and ensuring clean coverage
Edit selects, assemblies, and rough cuts, applying pacing, music, and basic sound polish in line with creative direction
Manage post-production workflows, including media organization, file labeling, continuity tracking, and clean project handoffs
Assist in scaling production teams by coordinating freelancers and vendors (camera, sound, G&E) as needed
Contribute creative ideas, references, and production solutions that push formats forward while staying true to brand

Qualifications (What We're Looking For)
5+  years of experience in cinematography, video production, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Demonstrated DP/camera experience across digital, documentary, branded, or studio environments
Strong lighting and composition fundamentals with a refined visual sensibility
Producer-minded approach: proactive, highly organized, and calm under pressure in fast-paced environments
Editing proficiency in a modern NLE (Premiere preferred; Avid or Resolve also welcome), including building rough cuts and managing versions
Solid post-production fundamentals, including file organization, audio awareness, and collaborative editing workflows
Ability to flex across multiple roles on set and in post, adapting to evolving production needs
Ability to work onsite Tuesday through Thursday in New York City, with flexibility for early calls and occasional travel as needed

The base salary for this role is $80/hr. The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.  

Hearst Magazines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.


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