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Music Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Create Music Group is based in Hollywood, CA and has 400 employees worldwide. Job Summary This Staff AI Engineer role sits at the intersection of AI systems architecture and full-stack product ...

To assist the Divisional Music & Worship arts department with the introduction, development and promotion of worship arts programming. * Provides field service to corps as approved by the Program ...

$35.14/hr

... Henry Hwang Music and Lyrics by Bear McCreary and Zoe Sarnak Story by David Henry Hwang, Bear ... The Moving Light Programmer will collaborate closely with visiting Lighting Designers, the ...

Showing results 41-60

Music Programmer information

See California salary details

$11

$39

$67

How much do music programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for music programmer in California is $39.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $50.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Music Programmer vs Sound Designer?

AspectMusic ProgrammerSound Designer
Primary RoleCreates and codes musical elements for games, apps, or mediaDesigns and creates sound effects and audio elements
Skills & CertificationsMusic production, programming, audio software proficiencySound design, audio editing, creativity in sound creation
Work EnvironmentGame studios, media companies, software developmentFilm, gaming, multimedia production
Industry UsageCommon in interactive media and game developmentUsed across entertainment and multimedia projects

While both roles involve audio work, a Music Programmer focuses on coding and integrating musical elements into digital media, whereas a Sound Designer specializes in creating and manipulating sound effects and audio assets. Both collaborate closely in multimedia projects but serve distinct functions within the audio production process.

What is a music programmer?

Music programmers are professionals who curate, organize, and schedule music playlists for radio stations, streaming services, television, or live events. They select tracks based on audience preferences, trends, and target demographics to create engaging listening experiences. Their work often involves analyzing data, coordinating with artists and record labels, and using specialized software to manage playlists. Music programmers play a crucial role in shaping what listeners hear and discovering new music.

How does a music programmer typically collaborate with other departments within a media organization?

Music Programmers often work closely with content producers, marketing teams, and audio engineers to ensure the right music selections enhance programming and brand identity. They participate in regular meetings to discuss upcoming projects, review audience feedback, and adjust playlists or music schedules accordingly. This collaboration ensures a cohesive listening experience that aligns with the organization's goals while also providing opportunities to learn from other creative professionals.

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

To thrive as a Music Programmer, you need a strong background in music theory, audio editing, and programming, often supported by a degree in music technology or a related field. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs), MIDI programming, synthesizer software, and relevant coding languages like Max/MSP or Python is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills that set top performers apart. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality music, streamlining workflows, and ensuring seamless integration of music within various media projects.
What are popular job titles related to Music Programmer jobs in California? For Music Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Music Programmer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Music Programmer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Music Programmer jobs? Cities in California with the most Music Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Music Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,158 per year, or $39 per hour.

Director, Media - Commercial Music Group

Sony Music Global Job Board

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We've played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We've nurtured some of music's most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time.

Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we're committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship.

Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies.

Based in our Los Angeles office and as part of the central media team within the Commercial Music Group, and reporting to the SVP of Media, lead paid advertising strategy, planning, optimization, and performance analysis for specific labels and projects across social, digital, out-of-home, and other traditional channels.

What you'll do:
  • Execution and campaign setup across social, CTV, programmatic, and other ad platforms
  • Negotiate, plan, and implement traditional media programs through strategic collaborations with traditional channel partners (out-of-home, print, trade, radio, TV)
  • Collaborate with both the central media team and other departments (e.g., marketing, content, audience development, and analytics) to create cohesive strategies guided by key business outcomes
  • Utilize various internal and external tools to develop data-informed insights that provide the framework and approach for media strategies
  • Help create focused, creative, and breakthrough media plans that provide immediate impact as well as key learnings for the future
  • Develop and conduct key ad operation tasks engineered for media and business goal performance
  • Focus on optimizations during campaign flights to consistently improve performance and generate key learnings
  • Deliver performance results, as well as key creative and media insights, during and upon completion of campaigns
  • Provide a regular cadence of performance insights (by artist, genre, and playlist group), budget recaps, and analyses
  • Help evaluate creative and provide suggestions and recommendations on assets to set campaigns up for success and test new approaches
  • Aid in the financial reconciliation process (PO requests, PO creation, invoice approvals/distribution, troubleshooting)
  • Develop media strategies around music award nominations and voting windows, such as the Grammys, CMAs, and ACMs
  • Test new ad products and provide insight on efficacy for business use cases
  • Provide input on ad processes, tools, and structures to create the most efficient, automated, and effective ways of working
  • Keep all project trackers, request forms, plans, and reports up to date and accurate
Who you are:
  • 6-8 years of advertising and/or marketing experience with an agency or brand (music industry experience is a plus)
  • Self-starter with a strong tolerance for high-volume, quick-turnaround work
  • Working knowledge of key ad platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snap, Google Ads, Amazon, demand-side platforms (DSPs), and others
  • Traditional media planning and strong negotiation skills across channels
  • Familiarity and applied knowledge of tracking, measurement, and tagging technologies and methodologies (e.g., pixels, events, integrations, and GTM)
  • Use of reporting, dashboard, and analytics tools (e.g., Adverity, Supermetrics, Looker Studio, and similar tools)
  • Proficiency with MS Office, Canva, Google tools, and other spreadsheet and presentation tools
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Love and passion for music
  • Curious and forward-thinking about the state and future of media and its integration with music
 
What we give you:
  • An inclusive, collaborative, and global community where you have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey
  • Training on internal and proprietary marketing and data tools
  • Opportunity for growth, development, and mentorship
  • Ability to work in a modern office designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork
  • An excellent range of benefits like private medical cover, a generous pension scheme, life assurance, income protection, plus loads of music industry perks
  • The platform to champion positive change, with the opportunity to contribute to our social impact, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.