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Music Distributor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate, Client Support - Distribution

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$50K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About FUGA FUGA, part of Downtown Music, is the world's leading full-service B2B music distributor - providing cutting-edge distribution, technology and marketing solutions to some of the most ...

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Music Coordinator

Menlo Park, CA · Remote

$35 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of digital music distribution platforms and industry standards such as DDEX * Understanding of copyright law and music licensing frameworks * Experience with audio production software or ...

Copyright Specialist Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Established in 2015, Create Music Group is a leading music and entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 ...

Established in 2015, Create Music Group is a leading music and entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 ...

Data Insights Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SD is not only a full-service global physical and digital music distributor, but it also provides hands-on marketing, financial, and technological support to some of the most exciting record labels ...

Data Insights Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SD is not only a full-service global physical and digital music distributor, but it also provides hands-on marketing, financial, and technological support to some of the most exciting record labels ...

Data Insights Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SD is not only a full-service global physical and digital music distributor, but it also provides hands-on marketing, financial, and technological support to some of the most exciting record labels ...

A&R Discovery Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Established in 2015, Create Music Group is a leading music and entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 ...

A&R Discovery Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 billion music streams each month on DSP's. Named #2 on the Inc 5000 Fastest Growth ...

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of music distribution and royalties (preferably within the context of a Film/TV studio), related contracts, and general financial principles. This ...

Financial Analyst, Music Royalties

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of music distribution and royalties (preferably within the context of a Film/TV studio), related contracts, and general financial principles. This ...

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Showing results 1-20

Music Distributor information

See California salary details

$10

$16

$27

How much do music distributor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for music distributor in California is $16.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do music distributors make?

Music distributors' earnings vary based on their role, experience, and the scale of distribution. They typically earn a combination of upfront fees, commissions, or royalties, with income ranging from a few thousand dollars annually for independent distributors to higher six-figure sums for those managing large catalogs or working with major labels. Success often depends on industry knowledge, networking, and technical skills related to digital platforms and licensing.

How does a music distributor collaborate with artists and streaming platforms to maximize song reach?

Music Distributors work closely with artists to understand their release goals and help prepare music for digital distribution. They coordinate with streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music, to ensure tracks are delivered on time and formatted correctly. Additionally, distributors often provide guidance on metadata optimization, release scheduling, and may assist with playlist pitching to boost visibility. Effective communication and relationship-building with both artists and platform representatives are key to maximizing a song’s reach.

What is a music distributor?

Music distributors are companies or platforms that help artists and record labels get their music onto streaming services, online stores, and sometimes physical retailers. They manage the process of delivering music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more, ensuring that releases are properly formatted and reach listeners worldwide. Distributors often handle royalty collection and reporting, making it easier for artists to earn revenue from their music. Some distributors also offer promotional or marketing support, though their primary role is getting music into digital and physical marketplaces.

How do you become a music distributor?

To become a music distributor, you typically need to understand the music industry, develop relationships with record labels or independent artists, and learn about digital distribution platforms. Gaining skills in licensing, copyright laws, and using distribution tools like DistroKid or TuneCore can also be beneficial.

What is the difference between Music Distributor vs Music Licensing Specialist?

AspectMusic DistributorMusic Licensing Specialist
Required CredentialsKnowledge of digital platforms, basic industry understandingLegal knowledge, licensing certifications, industry regulations
Work EnvironmentMusic distribution companies, digital platforms, record labelsLegal firms, licensing agencies, music publishers
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by record labels, independent artists, digital servicesUsed by publishers, legal teams, licensing agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding distribution processes, platform optionsLegal rights, licensing procedures, compliance issues

While both roles are integral to the music industry, a Music Distributor primarily handles the distribution of music to various platforms, focusing on technical and logistical aspects. A Music Licensing Specialist, on the other hand, deals with legal rights and licensing agreements to ensure music is used legally across different media. Both roles require industry knowledge but differ in their focus areas and skill sets.

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

To thrive as a Music Distributor, you need a solid understanding of the music industry, digital distribution channels, and copyright laws, often supported by experience in entertainment business or related fields. Familiarity with music distribution platforms (like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby), digital analytics tools, and content management systems is typically required. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and organizational skills help distributors connect artists with platforms and manage multiple releases effectively. These skills ensure music reaches a wide audience, maximizes revenue streams, and builds lasting industry partnerships.

What are popular job titles related to Music Distributor jobs in California?

For Music Distributor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Music Distributor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Music Distributor job openings:

Infographic showing various Music Distributor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $34,788 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Platform Product Operations Manager (Music Distribution) - TikTok PGC Music (San Jose)

TikTok

San Jose, CA • On-site

$121K - $272K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago


TikTok rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 244 rated software companies


Job description

Responsibilities
SoundOn is TikTok's official, all-in-one music distribution and marketing platform. Launched in 2021, it is designed to empower artists and labels by providing a direct route to TikTok's massive ecosystem while also distributing music to all major global streaming services. We are looking for a experienced strategic Platform Product Operations Manager to lead projects and help scale our user operations team. In this role, you will design and execute the overarching user operations strategy for our music distribution platform. You will oversee the entire lifecycle of artists and record labels-from onboarding and music distribution to royalty payouts-ensuring a seamless, high-satisfaction, and low-churn experience. Responsibilities - Lead End-to-End User Operations Strategy: Own the complete lifecycle operations for artists and record labels (onboarding, release distribution, and financial settlement), proactively resolving bottleneck issues to drive user satisfaction and retention. - Establish Issue Resolution & Incident Mechanisms: Build and refine rapid-response workflows to monitor and address distribution anomalies (including metadata errors, DSP rejections, copyright disputes, and takedowns), coordinating internal and external resources for swift resolution. - Drive Product Optimization via User Feedback: Develop deep empathy for artist and label pain points; establish a robust feedback loop to translate high-frequency inquiries and user friction into structured product requirements, driving continuous product iterations. - Build Operational Infrastructure & Self-Service Tools: Strategize and build efficient internal admin consoles and user-facing self-service diagnostics tools to improve troubleshooting efficiency, minimize manual intervention, and provide timely support. - Monitor User Health & Retention: Establish a data-driven user health monitoring system; analyze usage patterns to identify at-risk users early, and design targeted reactivation and retention initiatives. - Team Leadership & Standardization: Build, mentor, and manage the user operations team; establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for issue resolution, and elevate the team's domain expertise in music distribution and customer service.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements - Experience: 5+ years of experience in User Operations, Customer Success, or Account Management within the tech/SaaS sector, with 2+ years in team leadership experience - User-Centric Mindset: Deep empathy and sharp user insight, with the ability to think from the perspective of artists and labels, and a genuine passion for solving complex, professional user pain points. - Analytical & Systems Thinking: Strong logical analysis and system-thinking capabilities; able to identify systemic risks within the distribution pipeline and implement fundamental, long-term solutions. - Cross-functional Collaboration: Outstanding communication and coordination skills, with a proven track record of effectively collaborating with Product, Engineering, and Business Development teams to resolve issues. Preferred Qualifications - Experience in the music industry, creator economy, or SaaS platforms is highly preferred. - Direct operational experience within a music distribution platform, with familiarity in industry standards such as DDEX, ISRC, and UPC. - Experience building a User Operations/Customer Success department or system from 0 to 1. - Experience in handling large-scale user complaints, public relations crises, or high-risk policy incidents. - Passion for Music: A genuine love for music, with a strong understanding of-or a continuous desire to learn about-music creation, digital distribution, and the copyright ecosystem.
Job Information
[For Pay Transparency]Compensation Description (Annually)
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $121600 - $272000 annually.
Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect - and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TikTok Accommodation
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at

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