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Musical Composer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Composer; updating the score as needed before rehearsals begin. * Attend all public performances. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate has a passion for musical theater and extensive experience as ...

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:

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Musical Composer information

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$12

$26

$68

How much do musical composer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for musical composer in the United States is $26.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a musical composer?

Musical composers are individuals who create and write original music. They craft melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and structures for various types of compositions, such as songs, symphonies, film scores, or video game soundtracks. Composers may write music for orchestras, bands, solo instruments, choirs, or digital production. Their work involves a deep understanding of music theory and often collaboration with performers, conductors, and producers to bring their compositions to life.

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

To thrive as a Musical Composer, you need a deep understanding of music theory, composition techniques, and proficiency in at least one instrument, often supported by formal music education. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), notation software like Sibelius or Finale, and recording equipment is typically required. Creativity, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to accept feedback help composers excel in diverse musical projects. These skills and qualities enable composers to produce original, high-quality music that meets the artistic and technical needs of clients, performers, or audiences.

How does a musical composer typically collaborate with performers and other creatives during a project?

As a musical composer, you’ll often work closely with performers, conductors, and sometimes directors or producers, especially when creating music for concerts, film, or theater. Collaboration usually involves sharing drafts, receiving feedback, and making adjustments to ensure the music fits the intended mood and technical capabilities of the performers. Regular communication and flexibility are important, as you may need to revise your compositions based on rehearsals or creative input from others. This collaborative process helps bring your musical vision to life while meeting the needs of the broader creative team.

What is the difference between Musical Composer vs Sound Designer?

AspectMusical ComposerSound Designer
CredentialsMusic degree, composition certificationsAudio engineering, sound design certifications
Work EnvironmentMusic studios, film sets, theatersPost-production studios, gaming, film
Industry UsageFilm, TV, theater, video gamesFilm, video games, advertising
Primary FocusCreating original music and melodiesCreating and manipulating sound effects

While both roles involve working with audio, a Musical Composer primarily creates original music for various media, focusing on melodies and harmonies. A Sound Designer, on the other hand, specializes in crafting sound effects and audio textures to enhance visual media. Both roles require technical skills and industry knowledge but serve different creative purposes within the audio production process.

How much do musical composers make?

Musical composers' earnings vary widely based on experience, industry, and project type. According to industry data, freelance composers can earn from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, with top professionals in film, television, and video game scoring earning significantly more. Success often depends on portfolio quality, networking, and the ability to secure high-profile projects.

Is a musical composer a good career?

A musical composer creates original music for various media such as films, TV, and performances, often requiring strong musical skills, creativity, and proficiency with digital audio workstations. The career can be competitive and income varies widely based on experience, reputation, and project opportunities. Success often depends on networking, portfolio development, and continuous skill improvement.

Is there a demand for musical composers?

The demand for musical composers varies across industries such as film, television, video games, and advertising, where original music is often required. While competition can be high, skills in digital audio workstations and a strong portfolio can improve job prospects, especially as media production continues to grow globally.
More about Musical Composer jobs

What states have the most Musical Composer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Musical Composer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Musical Composer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 48% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,282 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Remote | French Music & Audio Evaluation Specialist $30-$55/hour

24-MAG LLC

Manhattan, NY • On-site, Remote

$30 - $55/hr

Part-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Specialised Part-Time Consulting OpportunityWe are sharing a specialised part-time consulting opportunity for French-speaking music and audio professionals experienced in music production, audio engineering, lyric evaluation, musical analysis, and generative audio quality review.This role supports current and upcoming remote consulting opportunities focused on evaluating AI-generated music in French. Selected professionals will assess lyrics, vocal performance, musicality, creativity, production quality, and prompt adherence while producing detailed annotations across genres, song structures, instrumentation, and audio characteristics.Key ResponsibilitiesGenerative Music EvaluationCompare AI-generated music samples and determine which output performs more effectivelyEvaluate musicality, creativity, prompt adherence, vocal quality, and overall productionAssess lyrics, melody, arrangement, instrumentation, and stylistic consistencyIdentify audio artifacts, unnatural vocal delivery, structural weaknesses, and production issuesExplain evaluation decisions clearly using appropriate musical and audio-engineering terminologyFrench Lyrics & Vocal ReviewEvaluate French-language lyrics for accuracy, fluency, natural phrasing, and creative qualityAssess pronunciation, vocal expression, lyrical delivery, and alignment between words and musicIdentify grammatical, cultural, contextual, or stylistic issues in generated lyricsReview whether sung content maintains coherence across verses, choruses, and other song sectionsMusic Annotation & ClassificationClassify tracks by genre, subgenre, musical style, and production characteristicsAnnotate song structure, instrumentation, vocal qualities, rhythm, harmony, and arrangementApply structured taxonomies consistently across different tracks and musical categoriesDocument notable transitions, production techniques, and performance characteristicsAudio Quality & Training Data ReviewScore music samples for suitability and quality within structured evaluation workflowsReview audio for mix balance, clarity, dynamics, frequency content, and production polishDistinguish between creative variation and technical quality issuesMaintain consistent review standards across repeated assignments and calibration exercisesIdeal ProfileStrong candidates may have:At least 3 years of professional experience as a music producer, audio engineer, sound mixer, musician, composer, or related music professionalNative or near-native proficiency in FrenchStrong English proficiency and the ability to follow detailed project instructionsPractical understanding of musical performance, theory, lyrics, arrangement, and productionExperience writing or reviewing lyrical music in FrenchStrong listening skills and the ability to explain subjective musical judgments clearlyAvailability to contribute at least 10 hours per weekEducational BackgroundA degree in music, audio engineering, music production, composition, performance, or a related field is helpfulFormal training covering musical performance, theory, composition, or lyric writing is highly relevantConservatory education, studio experience, or equivalent professional expertise may also be consideredPractical experience producing, recording, mixing, or evaluating French-language music is especially valuableNice to HaveExperience with digital audio workstations and professional recording or mixing workflowsBackground in songwriting, lyric writing, vocal production, or music supervisionFamiliarity with structured audio taxonomies, metadata tagging, or music classificationExperience evaluating generative music, synthetic vocals, or AI-assisted creative toolsKnowledge of multiple music genres and contemporary production standardsPrevious involvement in audio annotation, AI evaluation, quality assurance, or training-data reviewStrong understanding of French linguistic nuance, pronunciation, regional usage, and cultural contextWhy This OpportunityApply French-language and professional music expertise to structured remote project workContribute to high-quality generative music and audio evaluation workflowsReview creative outputs across lyrics, vocals, musical structure, and production qualityWork on flexible assignments aligned with music production and analytical listening strengthsParticipate in a longer-term project with competitive hourly compensationContract DetailsIndependent contractor roleFully remote with flexible schedulingImmediate project startExpected commitment of at least 10 hours per weekPotential project duration of up to six monthsCompetitive rates between $30–$55 per hour depending on expertise and project scopeWeekly payments via Stripe or WiseThe selection process may include a resume review and a conversational interview of approximately 25 minutesProjects may be extended, shortened, or adjusted depending on scope and performanceWork will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institutionAbout the PlatformThis opportunity is available through 24-MAG LLC. We connect experienced professionals with remote consulting opportunities across technical, evaluation, and project-based workstreams.By submitting this application, you acknowledge that your information may be processed by 24-MAG LLC for recruitment and opportunity matching in accordance with our Privacy Policy: https://www.24-mag.com/privacy-policy.