Music publisher vs distributor

The differences between music publishers and distributors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a music publisher, becoming a distributor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a music publisher has an average salary of $52,712, which is higher than the $40,606 average annual salary of a distributor.

Music publisher vs distributor overview

	Music Publisher	Distributor
Yearly salary	$52,712	$40,606
Hourly rate	$25.34	$19.52
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	2,751	89,197
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	44	47
Years of experience	2	4

Music publisher vs distributor salary

Music publishers and distributors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Music Publisher	Distributor
Average salary	$52,712	$40,606
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $105,000	Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	-	Clifton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	ABB
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between music publisher and distributor education

There are a few differences between a music publisher and a distributor in terms of educational background:

	Music Publisher	Distributor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Music publisher vs distributor demographics

Here are the differences between music publishers' and distributors' demographics:

	Music Publisher	Distributor
Average age	44	47
Gender ratio	Male, 69.6% Female, 30.4%	Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	30%	6%

Differences between music publisher and distributor duties and responsibilities

Music publisher example responsibilities.

Manage and perform administrative QC of electronic clinical submission modules within the Documentum document management system.
Volunteer position, organize sectional times/places with sectional leaders, run sectionals within rehearsals, conduct professional orchestra
Colorado.Developed and implement action plans which result in department meeting company ISO standards.

Distributor example responsibilities.

Generate leads for outside sales representatives including organizing, monitoring and updating Microsoft CRM program.
Train in OSHA safety standards and maintain compliances.
Use an RF scanner to produce labels identifying repack case contents.
Use Facebook as a great social media outlet, as well as twitter.
Operate forklift and stand up forklift, used RF scanner guns to track items
Install new valves, water meters, taps for water meters, and fire hydrants.

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Music Publisher
Music Publisher vs Distributor

Updated January 8, 2025

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