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What is a recording artist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted expert
Ann Emo
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a recording artist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.62 an hour? That's $53,291 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 6,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a recording artist?

Ann EmoAnn Emo LinkedIn profile

Professor and Chair, SUNY Buffalo State

Figure out how to sit with being uncomfortable. Sure COVID has messed with us, but learning how to work through challenges has always been important. The more you know about yourself, the more you will know what your brand is and how to optimize it, market it, and live into it. Also, as hard as it was to ask for help as a student, it may be harder to do so as a graduate but maybe even more important. Don't forget that you have connections with people who came from your programs before you, with your peers, and with your faculty and staff. Find a mentor, OR be a mentor. Growth comes from sharing.
ScoreRecording ArtistUS Average
Salary
4.2

Avg. Salary $53,291

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.2

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 5.55%

Black or African American 10.94%

Hispanic or Latino 13.28%

Unknown 5.11%

White 64.95%

Gender

female 26.92%

male 73.08%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Recording artist career paths

Key steps to become a recording artist

  1. Explore recording artist education requirements

    Most common recording artist degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.0 %

    Associate

    14.0 %

    High School Diploma

    10.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific recording artist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    R28.16%
    Event Planning10.83%
    Music Videos7.13%
    Live Performances7.09%
    Songwriting4.66%
  3. Research recording artist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage, perform and record music feature on MTV, national radio.
    • Assist costumes designer with material selections.
    • Maintain gear, costumes and props.
    • Perform poetry, organize skits, and act.
  4. Prepare your recording artist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your recording artist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a recording artist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable recording artist resume templates

    Build a professional recording artist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your recording artist resume.
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
    Recording Artist Resume
  5. Apply for recording artist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a recording artist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first recording artist job

Zippi

Are you a recording artist?

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Average recording artist salary

The average recording artist salary in the United States is $53,291 per year or $26 per hour. Recording artist salaries range between $22,000 and $124,000 per year.

Average recording artist salary
$53,291 Yearly
$25.62 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do recording artists rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Recording artist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021
Pros

Being an inspiration for other people who are interested in the music industry.

Cons

there's nothing .


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Pros

Being a man of the people and representing , relating to, and inspiring all people. A voice for all people mainly from ages 5-50. Generating interest in anything from consumers of everyday products to songs in the record industry(albums or singles).

Cons

Simple song or theme music for films, commercials, and albums in the record industry (LP or EP). Especially in one of the biggest music genres today which is hip-hop. 2nd only to Country music.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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