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Music producer vs composer

The differences between music producers and composers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a music producer, becoming a composer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a music producer has an average salary of $56,752, which is higher than the $53,019 average annual salary of a composer.

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

Music producer vs composer overview

Music ProducerComposer
Yearly salary$56,752$53,019
Hourly rate$27.28$25.49
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs13,95029
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4044
Years of experience122

Music producer vs composer salary

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

Music ProducerComposer
Average salary$56,752$53,019
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $81,000Between $25,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyAmazon-
Best paying industryStart-up-

Differences between music producer and composer education

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

Music ProducerComposer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyStanford University

Music producer vs composer demographics

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

Music ProducerComposer
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage14%30%

Differences between music producer and composer duties and responsibilities

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.

Composer example responsibilities.

  • Supervise, manage and book DJ's.
  • Produce: NYC, Houston, TX, tour TX.
  • Work with multiple DAW software.
  • Record and master young talent demo CDs.
  • Build and maintain a high-performance PC studio workstation.
  • Experience in ADR recording, mixing and editing.
  • Show more

Music producer vs composer skills

Common music producer skills
  • R, 18%
  • Audio Engineering, 14%
  • Music Production, 9%
  • Pro Tools, 8%
  • Mac, 5%
  • Music Videos, 4%
Common composer skills
  • Video Games, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 11%
  • Adobe Premiere, 10%
  • Sound Design, 9%
  • Avid Media Composer, 6%
  • Pro Tools, 5%

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