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Music composer vs music producer

The differences between music composers and music producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a music composer, becoming a music producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a music producer has an average salary of $56,752, which is higher than the $54,646 average annual salary of a music composer.

The top three skills for a music composer include audio engineering, video games and music theory. The most important skills for a music producer are R, audio engineering, and music production.

Music composer vs music producer overview

Music ComposerMusic Producer
Yearly salary$54,646$56,752
Hourly rate$26.27$27.28
Growth rate5%8%
Number of jobs3,78813,950
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4440
Years of experience612

Music composer vs music producer salary

Music composers and music producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Music ComposerMusic Producer
Average salary$54,646$56,752
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $106,000Between $39,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyMicrosoftAmazon
Best paying industryMediaStart-up

Differences between music composer and music producer education

There are a few differences between a music composer and a music producer in terms of educational background:

Music ComposerMusic Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Music composer vs music producer demographics

Here are the differences between music composers' and music producers' demographics:

Music ComposerMusic Producer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 86.8% Female, 13.2%Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage30%14%

Differences between music composer and music producer duties and responsibilities

Music composer example responsibilities.

  • Work with others to manage DJs and volunteers, as well as plan on campus events.
  • Compose music for film, television, trailers, documentaries, commercials, internet media, and games.
  • Create original compositions and content for documentaries and local television commercials.
  • Collaborate with parish staff and liturgy committee about events and fundraiser

Music producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage custom-built media duplication arrays, printers and packaging systems (VHS, CD, DVD).
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Produce award winning Samsung short as part of a highly successful integrate campaign.
  • Post audio for multimedia productions including mixing, ADR, Foley and scoring.
  • Design and produce high-level PowerPoint presentations for large-scale corporate events and key stand-alone projects.
  • Operate production board for high school basketball and baseball games without managerial supervision.

Music composer vs music producer skills

Common music composer skills
  • Audio Engineering, 23%
  • Video Games, 15%
  • Music Theory, 14%
  • Sound Design, 10%
  • Pro Tools, 7%
  • Sound Effects, 7%
Common music producer skills
  • R, 18%
  • Audio Engineering, 14%
  • Music Production, 9%
  • Pro Tools, 8%
  • Mac, 5%
  • Music Videos, 4%

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