How To Become A Song Writer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a song writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Emily Griesinger Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a song writer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $35.9 an hour? That's $74,668 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 3,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a song writer?

Emily Griesinger Ph.D.

Professor of English, Azusa Pacific University

I would say "don't give up" because your literacy gifts are especially needed right now. Those who have done excellent critical thinking and writing as English majors can make persuasive arguments and discern the credibility of arguments being consumed by others, who may not be so discerning. Based on years of reading and interpreting great literature, you can "read" characters, why people do what they do, and the capacity to imagine the joys and sorrows of other human beings. So, my general advice would be to consider how to market such skills in creative ways for the common good.

ScoreSong WriterUS Average

Salary

5.8

Avg. Salary $74,668

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%

Asian 8.59%

Black or African American 6.46%

Hispanic or Latino 7.65%

Unknown 4.95%

White 72.00%

Gender

female 22.26%

male 77.74%

Age - 45

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 - 45

Stress level

4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a song writer

Explore song writer education requirements

Most common song writer degrees

Bachelor's

43.0 %

High School Diploma

24.0 %

Associate

17.4 %

Start to develop specific song writer skills

Skills	Percentages
Music Production	31.45%
YouTube	24.43%
Computer Software	23.09%
Music Theory	21.04%

Complete relevant song writer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New song writers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a song writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real song writer resumes.

Research song writer duties and responsibilities

Manage a team of RFP writers and work with a cross-functional team to meet RFP requirements and establish deadlines.
Coordinate logistics management for signal elements, including securing training sites, movement of personnel, communications, and equipment.
Specialize in print production for corporate communications, brochure development, and fashion copywriting.

Apply for song writer jobs

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

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

How do song writers rate their job?

-/5

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Song writer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Cons

Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019

Pros

Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.