The Actual Cost of Making Music – A Pricing Guide

If you’re looking to hire music professionals for your next music project, understanding the prices is crucial for setting a realistic budget. Music and audio production involves an array of skilled roles, each with their own pricing structures.

From composers and producers to singers and session musicians, here’s an overview of what you can expect to pay the talented folks who help bring your songs and scores to life:

Role
Hourly Rate
Per Project Rate
Entry-level Music Composer

$20 – $150/hr
$500 – $5,000
Mid-level Music Composer
$100 – $300/hr
$5,000 – $25,000
Experienced Music Composer
$200 – $500/hr
$15,000 – $100,000+
Singer/Vocalist
$50 – $300/hr
$200 – $5,000+
Songwriter
$50 – $300/hr
$500 – $10,000+
Music Composer
$75 – $500/hr
$1,000 – $100,000+
Sound Designer
$50 – $200/hr
$500 – $20,000+
Audio Engineer
$50 – $150/hr
$300 – $5,000+
Music Producer
$75 – $300/hr
$1,000 – $50,000+
Session Musician
$50 – $200/hr
$200 – $5,000+
Arranger
$50 – $200/hr
$500 – $10,000+
Orchestrator
$75 – $250/hr
$1,000 – $20,000+
Audio Editor
$40 – $100/hr
$200 – $2,000+
Foley Artist
$50 – $150/hr
$300 – $5,000+
Mastering Engineer
$50 – $150/hr
$100 – $1,000+ per song
Drummer/Percussionist
$50 – $200/hr
$200 – $2,000+
Guitarist/Bassist
$50 – $200/hr
$200 – $2,000+
Pianist/Keyboardist
$50 – $150/hr
$200 – $1,500+
Music Teacher/Instructor
$30 – $100/hr
$40 – $100+ per lesson

If you’d like any extra help, here are a few other articles we’ve written on the topic:

Need talent ? Find music professionals here.

Raksha

Digital Marketing Executive @Twine

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