1

Music Publisher Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities Support Netflix music publishing and record royalty workflows. Analyze legal ... You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To ...

Support Netflix music publishing and record royalty workflows. Analyze legal agreements and prepare ... You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To ...

Support Netflix music publishing and record royalty workflows. Analyze legal agreements and prepare ... You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To ...

At Sony Music Publishing ("SMP") , we believe every voice matters. We are the #1 global music ... The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $180,000-$250,000. This range does not ...

Employment Counsel

New York, NY · On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

At Sony Music Publishing ("SMP") , we believe every voice matters. We are the #1 global music ... The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $180,000-$250,000. This range does not ...

Downtown Music Publishing is looking for a driven individual to join us as a Full Stack Software ... Downtown provides base salary ranges for all positions located in the United States at the time of ...

Downtown Music Publishing is looking for a driven individual to join us as a Full Stack Software ... Downtown provides base salary ranges for all positions located in the United States at the time of ...

Downtown Music Publishing is looking for a driven individual to join us as a Full Stack Software ... Downtown provides base salary ranges for all positions located in the United States at the time of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Music Publisher Salary information

See salary details

$12

$29

$62

How much do music publisher salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for music publisher salary in the United States is $29.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $34.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average salary of a music publisher?

The average salary of a music publisher can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the size of the company. In the United States, music publishers typically earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, with some senior positions or those at major firms earning even more. Entry-level roles may start at a lower range, but with experience and success in the industry, earnings can increase significantly. Additional income can come from commissions and royalties, depending on the publisher's agreements.

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

To thrive as a Music Publisher, you need a strong understanding of music copyright law, licensing, and the business aspects of music, often supported by a degree in music business or related experience. Familiarity with music rights management systems, contract negotiation software, and royalties tracking platforms is typically required. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills help you collaborate effectively with songwriters, artists, and industry professionals. These abilities are crucial for ensuring proper rights management, maximizing revenue streams, and fostering successful partnerships in the music industry.

What are the typical challenges faced by music publishers when negotiating royalty agreements?

Music publishers often face challenges in negotiating royalty agreements due to complex copyright laws, evolving digital distribution models, and the need to balance the interests of songwriters, composers, and record labels. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and new licensing platforms can be difficult, and publishers must be skilled negotiators to secure favorable terms. Additionally, ensuring accurate royalty tracking and timely payments requires strong attention to detail and collaboration with rights organizations, legal teams, and artists.

What is the difference between Music Publisher Salary vs Music Licensing Specialist Salary?

AspectMusic Publisher SalaryMusic Licensing Specialist Salary
Required CredentialsMusic industry knowledge, possibly a degree in music or businessMusic industry knowledge, licensing certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, music publishing companiesLegal and licensing firms, music companies
Employer & Industry UsageMusic publishing houses, record labelsMusic licensing agencies, copyright organizations

Both roles involve the music industry and require knowledge of music rights. However, a Music Publisher typically focuses on managing song copyrights and royalty collection, while a Music Licensing Specialist concentrates on licensing music for various media. Salary differences depend on experience and location, but understanding these distinctions helps in career planning and salary expectations.

How do you become a music publisher?

To become a music publisher, you typically need a strong understanding of music rights, licensing, and copyright law, often gained through a degree in music business or related fields. Gaining experience in the music industry, building relationships with songwriters and artists, and understanding royalty collection and distribution are essential steps. Many music publishers also obtain certifications or memberships in industry organizations to enhance credibility and knowledge.

How much do music publishers get paid?

Music publishers typically earn between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of their catalog. Compensation may include base salary, royalties, and performance bonuses, with higher earnings often linked to successful song placements and rights management skills.
More about Music Publisher Salary jobs

What cities are hiring for Music Publisher Salary jobs?

Cities with the most Music Publisher Salary job openings:

What states have the most Music Publisher Salary jobs?

States with the most job openings for Music Publisher Salary jobs include:

Infographic showing various Music Publisher Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,196 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Associate, Music Royalties

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

72nd of 78 rated media


Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology.

Come be a part of what's next. The Team The Contingent Compensation team manages success-based compensation to our talent and other rightsholders. This includes all varieties of royalties, profit participations, revenue sharing, bonuses and backend buyouts related to content distribution and exploitation of ancillary rights like consumer products, music and gaming.

Our goal is to provide insights and advice to support dealmaking and business decisions, and to provide accurate and timely reporting and payments to participants. Visit our culture memo to learn more about the unique Netflix culture and the opportunity to be part of our team. The Role We are looking for an Analyst to join our team supporting Music Royalties.

This role sits at the intersection of financial analysis and royalty operations, supporting on-service music rights administration for CMO/PRO partners and ancillary lines of business (licensing, soundtracks, experiences, and other off-service exploitation). 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 role will own the day-to-day execution of royalty operations from setting up contract terms in royalty systems to producing accurate royalty statements and processing payments.

You'll work closely with a global set of stakeholders, supporting the Legal, Accounting, and Music/Content teams to ensure rightsholders are paid accurately and in line with Netflix's contractual obligations. This role will require data analysis and financial modeling related to music royalties, the ability to maintain business relationships (internal and external), and the ability to effectively communicate complex financial details in a clear, concise manner. Responsibilities Support Netflix music publishing and record royalty workflows.

Analyze legal agreements and prepare royalty statements and payments based on contractual terms. Exercise sound judgment in assessing the financial impact of music royalties on Netflix's P&L and balance sheet, including financial modeling, accrual calculations, and ad-hoc analysis. Communicate effectively with internal and external partners.

Respond to royalty-related inquiries from rightsholders, industry partners, and internal stakeholders. Participate in innovation efforts, including automation & workflow/system development conversations. Provide feedback, research industry best practices, and implement impactful improvements to your area that demonstrate the capabilities of your team.

Qualifications 3-5+ years of experience working in music royalties, preferably at a CMO, music publisher, record label or Film/TV Studio. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Experience with royalty or rights management systems is strongly preferred.

Advanced proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets and comfort working with large, complex datasets. SQL is a plus. Experience reading and interpreting legal agreements.

Strong analytical skills to identify issues and problem-solve effectively. Thrive in a fast-paced and demanding environment, possess a high level of intellectual curiosity, and demonstrate strong judgment in the face of ambiguity. Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional and external stakeholders.

Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong drive to learn and grow in the role. Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options.

To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $115,000.00 - $180,000.00. Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits

We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off.

See more details about our Benefits here. Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner. We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams.

We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.


What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Netflix logo

About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997