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Studio Musician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Music Studio Atlanta

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Music Teachers - Now Hiring at The Music Studio Atlanta

Marietta, GA · On-site

$35 - $55/hr

We're Hiring Music Teachers at The Music Studio Atlanta! www.TheMusicStudioAtlanta.com What We're Looking For Please note: This is an independent contractor position, not an employee role. * Teachers ...

The Music Studio Atlanta

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Music Teachers - Now Hiring at The Music Studio Atlanta

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$35 - $55/hr

We're Hiring Music Teachers at The Music Studio Atlanta! www.TheMusicStudioAtlanta.com What We're Looking For Please note: This is an independent contractor position, not an employee role. * Teachers ...

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Studio Coordinator

Media, PA · On-site

$13 - $17/hr

At School of Rock, we are more than a music school -- we are a performance-based community that ... The Studio Coordinator serves as the first impression of the school and works closely with ...

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How much do studio musician jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for studio musician in the United States is $21.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a studio musician do?

Studio musicians are musicians that perform with a band or solo artist in the studio, but they are not official members of the group. Your responsibilities may include performing at a specific gig or audio session, playing your instrument to help people complete their record, and improvising when necessary to complete or perform a song. Other duties include helping with the arrangement of a song, assisting musicians with studio and live rehearsals, filling in for other musicians when they are not available for a performance, helping the producer and sound engineer with mix-down and recording, and helping to set up musical equipment.

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

To thrive as a Studio Musician, you need advanced proficiency on your instrument, strong sight-reading abilities, and a solid understanding of music theory, often supported by formal music education or extensive experience. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), recording software, and studio equipment is typically required. Adaptability, professionalism, and excellent communication help musicians collaborate effectively with producers and other artists. These skills ensure that studio musicians can deliver high-quality performances efficiently, adapt to various styles, and meet the demands of fast-paced recording environments.

What is a studio musician?

Studio musicians are professional instrumentalists or vocalists who are hired to perform during recording sessions for albums, commercials, films, or other projects. Unlike performing artists or band members, their primary role is to play music in a studio setting, often reading sheet music or following direction from producers. They are valued for their versatility, technical skill, and ability to quickly adapt to different musical styles. Studio musicians may work on a freelance basis and are essential to the production of many recordings, sometimes remaining uncredited to the general public.

How much money do studio musicians make?

Studio musicians' earnings vary based on experience, project scope, and session length, but they typically earn between $150 and $500 per session. Experienced session players in major markets can make higher rates, and some may work on a freelance basis or through agencies, often requiring proficiency with recording equipment and sight-reading skills.

Are studio musicians in demand?

Studio musicians are in demand in the music industry for recording sessions, live performances, and production projects. Their skills with instruments, sight-reading, and studio equipment are highly valued, especially in major music markets and for projects requiring high-quality recordings.

What are some common challenges studio musicians face during recording sessions?

Studio musicians often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to a variety of musical styles and arrangements, working efficiently under tight deadlines, and interpreting producers’ or artists’ creative directions on the spot. Flexibility and strong sight-reading skills are essential, as sessions can range from structured to highly improvisational. Additionally, studio musicians must communicate effectively with engineers, producers, and other musicians to ensure the final recording meets the desired artistic vision.

How to get hired as a studio musician?

To get hired as a studio musician, develop strong technical skills on your instrument, build a professional portfolio or demo recordings, and network with producers, engineers, and artists in the industry. Having a good reputation, reliability, and the ability to adapt to different musical styles are also important for securing studio work.
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Studio Musician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Studio Musician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 67% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,855 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Studio Music Instructor - Clarinet

Whitman College

Walla Walla, WA • On-site

$398/wk

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Description
Located in the vibrant community of Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving roughly 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top undergraduate, liberal arts colleges in the country.
The Department of Music at Whitman College is seeking candidates for a Studio Music Instructor for Clarinet, beginning September 2026. An advanced degree in Music performance or equivalent professional experience is required. Studio Music Instructor appointments are typically part-time positions. Appointments are made on a semester-by-semester basis.
Within a personalized and inclusive environment, the Whitman Department of Music connects student passion for music with diverse approaches to new ways of understanding. Our supportive environment meets students where they are but also challenges them to surpass their own expectations as they perform, create, critically examine, and advocate for the music that matters to them. With dedicated faculty and exceptional facilities, including three performance halls, a music technology studio, and extensive practice and teaching spaces, students are empowered to grow and achieve their musical goals.
The successful candidate will teach one-on-one Applied Music lessons on the Clarinet in a liberal arts environment with students at Whitman College.
Studio Music Instructors will:
  • Provide student-centered instruction with an eye toward the growth of the student
  • Guide students to connect their own interests and backgrounds with ways of creating music, working across style, genre, cultural tradition, and multiple modes of inquiry;
  • Contribute to our music faculty's collective and ongoing efforts to diversify our curriculum.

Duties of a Studio Music Instructor include:
  • Teaching students in individual lessons. Lessons consist of a weekly 30-minute meeting, totaling 12 lessons over the semester per 1 credit of student enrollment.
  • Teaching during the regular Academic Calendar, with regular lessons occurring on weekdays (Monday through Friday). Lessons are not held during college holidays, the Power and Privilege Symposium, and the Whitman Undergraduate Conference
  • Providing students with a syllabus that outlines expectations, requirements, grading guidelines, and jury/final examination information.
  • Attending juries (final examinations), pro-rated to semester credit load
  • Abiding by all relevant Whitman College policies (such as the Whitman College Faculty Code, Faculty Handbook, and College Catalog), including checking Whitman College email regularly

As faculty, Studio Music Instructors report directly to the Provost and Dean of Faculty.
Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community that values diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. In the cover letter, candidates should describe their interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non-majors, at all levels of instruction. In doing so, candidates should address how their lived experiences and classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment.
To apply, go to https://apply.interfolio.com/190969. The online application will prompt you to upload all of the required materials: a letter of application; curriculum vitae; statement of teaching philosophy and evidence of demonstrated or potential excellence in undergraduate instruction as well as a sample of your professional work and/or website. The committee will solicit three letters of recommendation from applicants who reach the interview stage.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Salary Range: Studio Music Instructors are paid a fixed amount of $398 for each 1-credit, half-hour weekly course.
Whitman College offers a competitive benefits package designed to attract and retain talented employees. For studio music instructors, full-time equivalency (FTE) and associated benefits eligibility are determined by the number of lesson credits taught. A full-time teaching load is defined as forty 1-credit, half-hour lessons per week. FTE is calculated on a semester-by-semester basis and audited course load on the 10th day of each semester. Instructors teaching a minimum of thirty lessons are eligible for prorated fringe benefits.
For a summary of available benefits and the associated eligibility requirements, please see the HR website.

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