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Music composer vs singer songwriter

The differences between music composers and singer songwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a singer songwriter has an average salary of $80,442, 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 singer songwriter are songwriting, event planning, and youtube.

Music composer vs singer songwriter overview

Music ComposerSinger Songwriter
Yearly salary$54,646$80,442
Hourly rate$26.27$38.67
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs3,788106
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4445
Years of experience6-

Music composer vs singer songwriter salary

Music composers and singer songwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Music ComposerSinger Songwriter
Average salary$54,646$80,442
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $106,000Between $37,000 And $173,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMicrosoft-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between music composer and singer songwriter education

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

Music ComposerSinger Songwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeStanford University-

Music composer vs singer songwriter demographics

Here are the differences between music composers' and singer songwriters' demographics:

Music ComposerSinger Songwriter
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 86.8% Female, 13.2%Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage30%9%

Differences between music composer and singer songwriter 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

Singer songwriter example responsibilities.

  • Achieve desired tonal and harmonic balance by communicating clearly with singers.
  • Self-Employ internationally known opera singer, award-winning cabaret singer, actor with off-Broadway credits.
  • Self-Employ internationally known opera singer, award-winning cabaret singer, actor with off-Broadway credits.

Music composer vs singer songwriter skills

Common music composer skills
  • Audio Engineering, 23%
  • Video Games, 15%
  • Music Theory, 14%
  • Sound Design, 10%
  • Pro Tools, 7%
  • Sound Effects, 7%
Common singer songwriter skills
  • Songwriting, 17%
  • Event Planning, 13%
  • YouTube, 7%
  • Live Performances, 6%
  • Music Videos, 6%
  • Pro Tools, 5%

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