ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Music Rights Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kobalt Music

Intern, Contract Administration

Nashville, TN · On-site

$30.90K - $36.70K/yr

The Role We are looking for a highly detail-oriented and proactive Intern to join our Contract Administration team. Based in Nashville, this role supports the onboarding, interpretation, and

Kobalt Music

Intern, Contract Administration

Nashville, TN · On-site

$30.90K - $36.70K/yr

The Role We are looking for a highly detail-oriented and proactive Intern to join our Contract Administration team. Based in Nashville, this role supports the onboarding, interpretation, and

Cardinal Services, Inc.

Music Therapist

Warsaw, IN · On-site

$25/hr

Music Therapist Location: Warsaw, IN Position Type: Contracted Position, Flexible Schedule Position Pay: $25 hr. We are seeking a Music Therapist to join our team and provide comprehensive music

YCS

Music Teacher

Hackensack, NJ · On-site

Dedicated. Compassionate. Inspiring. Rewarding. These are just some of the words used to describe the attributes of YCS employees. YCS employees are devoted professionals who have a passion for

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsMusic Rights Jobs

Music Rights information

See salary details

$20K

$54.5K

$84K

How much do music rights jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for music rights in the United States is $54,498.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Music Rights, and why are they important?

To thrive in Music Rights, you need a thorough understanding of copyright law, licensing practices, and intellectual property rights, often supported by a degree in law, music business, or related fields. Familiarity with rights management databases, contract management software, and tools like PRO (Performance Rights Organization) platforms is commonly required. Exceptional negotiation, communication, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills in this field. These skills ensure accurate rights management, maximize revenue opportunities, and protect both creators' and clients' interests in a complex legal landscape.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in music rights management?

Professionals in music rights management often encounter challenges such as navigating complex licensing agreements, staying updated on constantly evolving copyright laws, and ensuring accurate royalty distribution among multiple stakeholders. Coordinating between artists, publishers, record labels, and digital platforms requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, handling disputes over intellectual property and efficiently tracking music usage across various media can be demanding but is essential to protect rights holders’ interests.

What are music rights?

Music rights refer to the legal rights that determine how music can be used, distributed, performed, and monetized. These rights are typically divided into different categories, such as copyright for the composition (songwriting and lyrics) and the sound recording (the actual recorded performance). Music rights ensure that creators, performers, and copyright holders are compensated when their music is used commercially, whether through streaming, radio, live performances, or synchronization in films and ads. Managing music rights is crucial for protecting intellectual property and generating income from creative works.

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

AspectMusic RightsMusic Licensing Specialist
Required CredentialsLegal knowledge, copyright certificationsLegal and industry knowledge, licensing certifications
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, rights organizations, music publishersMusic labels, production companies, licensing agencies
Industry UsageManaging rights ownership and permissionsNegotiating and securing licenses for use

Music Rights professionals focus on managing ownership, copyrights, and permissions related to music assets. In contrast, Music Licensing Specialists handle the process of obtaining legal permissions for specific uses of music. Both roles require legal and industry knowledge but serve different functions within the music industry.

More about Music Rights jobs
What cities are hiring for Music Rights jobs? Cities with the most Music Rights job openings:
What states have the most Music Rights jobs? States with the most job openings for Music Rights jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Music Rights jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Music Rights jobs are:
Music Rights jobs near you
Infographic showing various Music Rights job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $54,498 per year, or $26.2 per hour.
CATALOG OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

CATALOG OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Primary Wave Music Publishing, LLC

Los Angeles, CA • Hybrid

$75K - $95K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

CATALOG OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
(Can be based in either LA or NYC)
Primary Wave Music is the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world. The company is home to some of the most iconic songwriters, artists, and record labels across the history of recorded music including Whitney Houston, James Brown, Prince, Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, Talking Heads, Smokey Robinson, Village People, Crowded House, Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, The Doors, Stone Temple Pilots, Sun Records, and many more. As a company, we strive for excellence in the pursuit of iconic artists and catalogs that not only reflect great artistry, but impact and influence culture.
Job Description:
We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague with a dedicated work ethic and a sharp mind who will own the end-to-end operational transition of newly acquired music catalog assets, from pre-closing through onboarding and revenue stabilization, which includes, but is not limited to, a thorough understanding of rights and royalty sources and the management and redirection thereof. The right candidate will bring deep knowledge of and experience with global music rights infrastructure, strong project management discipline, and the ability to manage multiple complex transitions simultaneously while working effectively with sellers at varying levels of operational sophistication. The role reports to the VP of Revenue Growth and Income Tracking.
Specific responsibilities include:
  • Work with Sellers in the "pre-closing" phase to encourage uptake upon closing:
    • Translate diligence schedules into operational implementation plans
    • Educate Sellers and internal stakeholders regarding required documentation and communicate realistic timelines and follow-through
    • Lead structured onboarding calls
    • Provide hands-on guidance through registration transfers and documentation gaps
    • Oversee setup of third-party royalty obligations including payee changes
  • Develop a standardized practice or "playbook" for technical onboarding of music catalog assets upon closing:
    • Ensure coverage for each rights type and royalty streams (publishing, masters, neighboring rights)
      • PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, global PROs)
      • Rights of Administration/ Rights of Distribution
      • Neighboring rights (SoundExchange, PPL, global CMOs)
    • Exert efforts to streamline the transition from legacy administrators
    • Clean, validate, and structure incoming works schedules, ISRC/ISWC data, territory splits.
    • Flag missing metadata or conflicting chain of title.
  • Follow up as needed among all parties until resolution is reached.
  • Ensure seamless handoff to income tracking post-stabilization.
  • Perform ad-hoc special projects to support management and investor needs
  • Communicate regularly and effectively with management and all stakeholders to ensure accuracy of real-time decisions
Experience and Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree, with 8+ years of experience in music publishing, recorded rights, royalty administration, or catalog acquisitions required
  • Deep knowledge of Global PRO's, Neighboring rights structures, DSP revenue reporting, and chain of title analysis
  • Experience working with large works schedules
  • Strong metadata literacy (ISRC, ISWC, IPI, CAE, etc.)
  • Strong proficiency in Excel required
  • Ability to synthesize data and create reports from scratch
  • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to multi-task and manage time to prioritize tasks
  • Must be self-motivated with an intellectual curiosity
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
Benefits and Compensation:
We offer exceptional benefits to our employees. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer an excellent career path. We provide one of the best available benefit programs for small businesses, including a healthcare plan, 401(k), long-term and short-term disability, holidays, life insurance, hybrid work schedule, personal and vacation time off.
The estimated base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $95,000 per year. The actual salary rate offered to candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, business needs, and the candidate's overall qualifications for the position as assessed by Primary Wave. The salary range is subject to change at any time and depends on internal and external factors.
We work to maintain the best possible environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning and culture.
To Apply: To respond to this great opportunity, please click on the link below to complete an application and submit your resume.
Individuals can perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Apply