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Music Composer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TrueShort

AI Music Composer & Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

AI Music Composers are responsible for creating original soundtracks, themes, ambient scores, and songs that elevate storytelling and establish the emotional tone of each project. In addition to ...

Weekday AI

Music & Lyrics Expert - Swedish

$42 - $78/hr

The ideal candidate has professional experience as a songwriter, lyricist, performer, composer, music journalist, or other music-focused professional , along with strong familiarity with the Swedish ...

Mercor

Bengali Music Expert - Lyricist

New York, NY · Remote

$11 - $19/hr

Experience as a songwriter, lyricist, performer, composer, or music journalist with knowledge of the Bengali music scene. * Headphones or studio monitors suitable for critical listening. Preferred

Mercor Inc

Music & Lyrics Expert - French

$17 - $54/hr

Experience as a songwriter, lyricist, performer, composer, or music journalist, with knowledge of the French music scene * Headphones or studio monitors suitable for critical listening Nice to have:

The O'Neill

Music Assistants

Waterford, CT · On-site

$750/wk

Work closely with the Composer and Music Director to track, implement, communicate score changes, and assist them as needed. * Print and distribute score updates, lyric changes, band charts, and ...

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Music Composer information

What does a music composer do?

As a music composer, you write original music, such as scores for film or TV shows, compositions for bands or orchestras to perform, or for a solo artist. Your duties are to conceptualize and score all the parts of a song, including melodies and harmonies, rhythm, and structure, and write the music for however many instruments or voices you decide to use for a given song or arrangement. If you work in entertainment, you work closely with directors, often after the film has been shot. Your responsibilities are to analyze the visual elements, structure, and story and develop music to complement it.

What does a music composer do?

A music composer is responsible for creating original music for various media such as films, television, video games, commercials, and live performances. They write melodies, harmonies, and arrangements, often working closely with directors, producers, or clients to ensure the music fits the intended mood and purpose. Composers may use traditional notation or digital software to produce their work and often oversee recording sessions to bring their compositions to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a music composer?

To thrive as a Music Composer, you need a solid understanding of music theory, composition techniques, and proficiency in at least one instrument, often supported by a degree in music or a related field. Familiarity with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), notation software, and audio editing tools like Logic Pro, Sibelius, or Finale is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and the ability to accept feedback are essential soft skills that set successful composers apart. These skills and qualities enable composers to create original, impactful music that meets client or project needs while working effectively with performers and production teams.

What are some common challenges music composers face when working on collaborative projects?

Music Composers often collaborate with directors, producers, and other musicians, especially in film, television, or video game projects. One common challenge is balancing creative vision with client expectations, as composers may need to revise their work multiple times to align with feedback. Time management can also be demanding, particularly when working under tight production deadlines. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial for navigating these collaborative environments and ensuring the final composition enhances the overall project.

What is the difference between Music Composer vs Sound Designer?

AspectMusic ComposerSound Designer
CredentialsMusic theory, composition degrees, or certificationsAudio engineering, sound design, or related certifications
Work EnvironmentStudios, recording booths, or on-location for film, TV, gamesPost-production, game audio, film, or multimedia environments
Industry UsageCreates original music for mediaCreates sound effects and audio elements

While both roles involve audio work in media, a Music Composer primarily creates original music scores, whereas a Sound Designer focuses on crafting sound effects and audio elements to enhance the media experience. They often collaborate but serve distinct functions in the production process.

How much money does a music composer make?

The average salary for a music composer varies widely based on experience, project type, and industry. In the United States, salaries typically range from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, with top professionals earning more through licensing, royalties, and commissions. Freelance composers often set their rates based on project scope and client budgets, and success can depend on networking and portfolio quality.

Is there a demand for music composers?

The demand for music composers varies by industry, with opportunities in film, television, video games, advertising, and streaming media. As technology advances and content creation increases, skilled composers who can adapt to digital tools and diverse genres are increasingly sought after. However, competition remains high, and building a strong portfolio and networking are important for success.

What qualifications do you need to be a music composer?

To become a music composer, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in music, composition, or a related field, along with strong musical skills and knowledge of music theory and software such as digital audio workstations. Developing a portfolio of original work and gaining experience through internships or collaborations can also be important for career advancement.
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Music Composer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Music Composer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, 46% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

AI Music Composer & Editor

TrueShort

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Compose original scores, themes, songs, and background music for animated and live-action productions

  • Edit, arrange, and place music within completed episodes to enhance pacing, emotion, and narrative impact

  • Collaborate closely with the Showrunner, Editors, AI Filmmakers, and Sound Designer throughout development and post-production

Job description

About TrueShort
TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the United States. An AI studio and streaming platform where we experiment, develop and release original series and films constantly. No development purgatory.
Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable storytelling across an expanding slate of genres, reimagining how modern audiences discover and experience great stories.
Our team is experimenting at the frontier of AI-powered entertainment production across animation, live action, and emerging storytelling formats.
Backed by Jeffrey Katzenberg (Founder of DreamWorks), Scott Belsky, Ravi Nandan (A24), Khosla Ventures, and others.
Role Overview
We're looking for AI Music Composers to help define the musical identity of original series and films across a wide range of genres and formats.
AI Music Composers are responsible for creating original soundtracks, themes, ambient scores, and songs that elevate storytelling and establish the emotional tone of each project. In addition to composing original music, you'll also help edit, arrange, and implement music across finished episodes-ensuring every cue supports the pacing, emotion, and storytelling of each scene.
Working closely with the Showrunner, AI Filmmakers, Editors, and our Sound Designer, you'll help shape each series through music that feels cohesive, memorable, and production-ready.
This role sits at the intersection of music composition, music editing, and AI-native creative workflows. We're looking for musicians with strong storytelling instincts, excellent musical taste, and an understanding of how to leverage AI tools to produce high-quality, original music efficiently.
Responsibilities
  • Compose original scores, themes, songs, and background music for animated and live-action productions
  • Develop unique musical identities for original series, films, and recurring characters
  • Edit, arrange, and place music within completed episodes to enhance pacing, emotion, and narrative impact
  • Select, trim, loop, and adapt existing musical cues to fit scene timing and editorial changes
  • Collaborate closely with the Showrunner, Editors, AI Filmmakers, and Sound Designer throughout development and post-production
  • Iterate quickly based on creative feedback while maintaining consistency across episodes
  • Organize and deliver production-ready stems, alternate versions, and final mixes
  • Experiment with AI music-generation workflows to rapidly prototype and refine compositions
Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Strong background in music composition, scoring, songwriting, production, music editing, or sound design
  • Experience with AI music-generation platforms (Suno, ElevenLabs Music, Udio, etc.)
  • Experience with digital audio workstations such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reaper, or similar
  • Experience editing music to picture and matching cues to visual storytelling
  • Ability to compose across multiple genres including orchestral, cinematic, electronic, pop, hip-hop, ambient, comedy, and hybrid scores
  • Experience editing, arranging, mixing, and mastering AI-generated music into production-ready tracks
Compensation & Details
  • Contract Role
  • Potential for long-term employment or full-time role
  • $200-$450 per episode
  • Ongoing work with the goal of producing multiple episodes per week (typically 7-10 minutes each)
  • Los Angeles preferred (open to remote)
To Apply
Please send:
  • Portfolio or relevant work samples
  • Examples of original scores, songs, soundtrack work, or music editing projects
  • Examples of projects created using AI music-generation tools
  • Optional: Links to any film, television, game, or interactive media projects you've scored or edited
  • A brief overview of your workflow, preferred creative tools, and experience with AI music generation

Apply