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Music Publishing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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music publishing information

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$30.5K

$57.7K

$121.5K

How much do music publishing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for music publishing in the United States is $57,731.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $64,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is music publishing?

Music publishing is the business of managing, promoting, and protecting the rights of songwriters and composers. Music publishers ensure that creators receive payment when their music is used commercially, such as in recordings, films, TV shows, and live performances. They handle licensing, royalty collection, and often help secure opportunities for a song to be recorded or performed by artists. Essentially, music publishing connects creators with users and makes sure they are fairly compensated for their work.

What are music publishing jobs?

Music publishing jobs focus on publishing, licensing, and protecting the copyright of musical pieces. As a music publisher, your duties may involve working with an artist or composer to publish and promote their album, song, or musical composition. A publisher may license music for advertisements, radio airplay, films, or records. You may also manage the intellectual property rights related to the music and ensure the artist gets the royalties they are due. Music publishers may work with copyright and contract lawyers.

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

To thrive in Music Publishing, a solid understanding of copyright law, music licensing, and rights management is essential, often supported by a degree in music business or a related field. Familiarity with music rights management systems, databases like ASCAP or BMI, and contract software is typically required. Strong networking, negotiation, and communication skills help professionals build relationships with artists and industry partners. These skills are critical for effectively managing music rights, maximizing revenue streams, and ensuring legal compliance in a competitive industry.

What are some of the key challenges faced in a music publishing role, and how can new professionals prepare for them?

One of the primary challenges in music publishing is staying updated with constantly evolving copyright laws and digital distribution platforms. Professionals often manage complex licensing agreements and must ensure accurate royalty tracking for songwriters and composers. To prepare, new entrants should develop strong attention to detail, keep informed about industry trends, and cultivate good relationships with artists and rights holders. Building a solid understanding of music rights management software and networking within the industry can also be valuable for long-term success.

What is the difference between Music Publishing vs Music Licensing?

AspectMusic PublishingMusic Licensing
Primary FocusManaging rights, royalties, and copyright administration for songwriters and composersSecuring permissions and licenses for the use of music in various media
Work EnvironmentPublishing companies, rights organizations, or independentMedia companies, licensing agencies, or freelance
Required CredentialsMusic industry knowledge, copyright law understanding, often a music or legal backgroundMusic industry knowledge, legal or contractual understanding, often a legal or music background

Music Publishing involves managing song rights and royalties, while Music Licensing focuses on obtaining permissions for music use in media. Both roles require industry knowledge and often overlap, but publishing emphasizes rights management, whereas licensing centers on facilitating music use in various projects.

How do I get into music publishing?

To get into music publishing, gaining knowledge of copyright law, licensing, and music rights is essential. Relevant skills include music industry experience, networking with industry professionals, and understanding digital tools like music management software. Entry-level roles often require a bachelor's degree in music business, law, or a related field.

How do you get paid from music publishing?

Music publishing professionals earn income through royalties generated when songs are performed, broadcast, streamed, or reproduced. Payments are collected and distributed by performing rights organizations (PROs) or publishers, often based on licensing agreements and song usage data. Accurate registration of works and understanding licensing rights are essential for proper compensation.

How much does a music publisher make?

Music publishers typically earn a percentage of the royalties generated from the songs they manage, often around 15-25% of the income. Their earnings depend on the success of the catalog, the number of songs they oversee, and their contractual agreements with songwriters and artists.

What cities are hiring for Music Publishing jobs?

Cities with the most Music Publishing job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Music Publishing jobs?

The most popular types of Music Publishing jobs are:

What states have the most Music Publishing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Music Publishing jobs include:

Infographic showing various Music Publishing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,731 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Content Acquisition Manager, Music Publishing

Amazon

Culver City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,105 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Amazon Music reimagines music listening by enabling customers to unlock millions of songs and thousands of curated playlists and stations with their voice. Amazon Music provides unlimited access to new releases and classic hits across iOS and Android mobile devices, PC, Mac, Echo, and Alexa-enabled devices including Fire TV and more. With Amazon Music, Prime members have access to ad-free listening of millions of songs at no additional cost to their membership.

Listeners can also enjoy the premium subscription service, Amazon Music Unlimited, which provides access to more than 100 million songs and the latest new releases. Amazon Music Unlimited customers also now have access to the highest-quality listening experience available. Customers also have free access to an ad-supported selection of top playlists and stations on Amazon Music.

All Amazon Music tiers now offer a wide selection of podcasts at no additional cost, and live streaming in partnership with Twitch. Engaging with music and culture has never been more natural, simple, and fun. For more information, visit amazonmusic.com or download the Amazon Music app.
The Publishing Operations team drives the business operations behind Amazon Music's royalty payments & reporting

Our mission is to support the songwriter-creator community, while delivering the best content selection and music experience for our customers. You will be responsible for managing our royalty operations and content licensing strategy to provide the best music experience for our customers. This is a multi-faceted role, where you will be valued for wearing multiple hats and working across traditional boundaries.

The ideal candidate has a passion for music, an entrepreneurial spirit, and experience in global rights administration.
Key job responsibilities
Cultivate productive relationships with music rightsholders. Communicate proactively and take prompt ownership of client issues.
Ensure that reports, invoices, and payments flow seamlessly between external rightsholders and internal partners.
Optimize business processes and operational workflows. Find creative solutions, establish structure, and lead projects that drive efficiency.
Create financial models to support financial projections, license negotiations, and risk analyses.
Specify new reports and systems to support our business

Document requirements and partner with engineering teams to drive implementation.
Track content availability and manage publishing rights in collaboration with Operations and Label Relations teams.
Collaborate with Engineering and Product teams to design, develop, and test royalty processing systems.
Review royalty calculations, data, and statements for accuracy.


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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US