Music Industry Careers: Jobs in the Live Music Events Industry
If you’re drawn to music but feel more at home behind the scenes than in the spotlight, the live event industry might be your calling. It’s a fast-paced, collaborative world where creativity meets technology, and where every show depends on a dedicated team working in sync.
This industry continues to grow and evolve, with meaningful, sustainable careers available in big cities and small towns around the world. Whether it’s a club gig, a worship service or an arena tour, these roles are essential — and accessible. For students and emerging professionals, the key ingredients for success are curiosity, creativity and willingness to learn. What follows is a list of some of the jobs in the live music events industry.
SOUND
Front-of-House (FOH) Engineer
Responsibilities: Responsible for the overall sound the audience hears, mixing audio in real-time to ensure clarity and perfect balance throughout the performance.
Key Skills: Audio mixing proficiency, signal flow understanding, technologically adept, quick problem-solving, familiarity with digital and analog consoles
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,000–$84,000*
Monitor Engineer
Responsibilities: Makes sure that the performers on stage can hear exactly what they need through in-ear monitors or stage wedges, adjusting individual mixes in real time.
Key Skills: Audio mixing proficiency, signal flow understanding, quick problem-solving, familiarity with digital and analog consoles
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,000–$84,000*
System Engineer
Responsibilities: Oversees the setup, testing, before show prep of audio equipment. Tunes the system and troubleshoots issues during rehearsals and the performance, working closely with FOH engineer.
Key Skills: Technical knowledge of audio systems, technologically-savvy, problem-solving, equipment maintenance, adaptability
Average Annual Salary Range: $45,000–$58,500*
Audio Tech
Responsibilities: Loads in and out, implements setting up the system, routes cables from stage to FOH, tests equipment, assists the engineers in whatever they need.
Key Skills: Technical knowledge of audio systems, problem-solving, equipment maintenance, ability to move fast, physical strength
Average Annual Salary Range: $32,000–$70,000+*
Musical Director
Responsibilities: Leads the musical team, conducts rehearsals, and acts as a bridge between performers and the rest of the production. Often responsible for musical arrangements and overall quality of the music performed.
Key Skills: Leadership, musical arrangement, conducting, communication
Average Annual Salary Range: $64,100–$106,500*
Musician
Responsibilities: Plays a central role in the performance, collaborating closely with the musical director and technical team to deliver a cohesive show.
Key Skills: Instrument proficiency, stage presence, adaptability, collaboration
Average Annual Salary Range: $21,000–$100,000+*
STAGE & EVENT PRODUCTION
Event Producer
Responsibilities: Manages the planning, logistics, and delivery of the event, including budgeting, timelines, and high-level decision-making.
Key Skills: Project design, decision-making, communication, creativity
Average Annual Salary Range: $81,520–$99,380*
Production Designer
Responsibilities: Working closely with the artist(s), producers, and managers, creates and brings to life all visual elements of the shows. Hires key visual personnel and works through rehearsals.
Key Skills: Leadership, creativity, knowledge of all gear, budgeting.
Average Annual Salary Range: $30,000-$125,000+* (Salaries can increase significantly for high-end designers of festivals, corporate events or tours.)
Note: The biggest of tours and shows have all these individual professionals (and more). Many others have combined roles, so the production designer might also be the lighting and set designer; the lighting designer might also be the director and/or the programmer; The tour manager might also be a front of house or monitor engineer, etc.
Production Manager
Responsibilities: Oversees all technical teams — sound, lighting, video and staging — ensuring coordination, equipment readiness and timely execution.
Key Skills: Leadership, budgeting, scheduling, problem-solving
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,500–$89,700*
Tour Manager
Responsibilities: Manages and responsible for the artist/band/talent, coordinating their schedule, handling transportation and lodging, and anything needed to get them on stage.
Key Skills: Leadership, detail-oriented, budgeting, scheduling, problem-solving, negotiating
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,500–$89,700*
Stage Manager
Responsibilities: Coordinates all elements of the production during rehearsals and performances, ensuring everything happens on time and according to plan.
Key Skills: Organization, communication, multitasking, leadership
Average Annual Salary Range: $50,000–$69,000*
Production Assistant
Responsibilities: Provides support across departments — managing schedules, handling logistics, and assisting with various production tasks.
Key Skills: Flexibility, communication, time management, problem-solving
Average Annual Salary Range: $31,000–$39,600*
Backline Technician
Responsibilities: Prepares and maintains musical instruments and gear, including setup, tuning, routing cables, and on-the-fly troubleshooting during the show.
Key Skills: Instrument knowledge, technologically-savvy, technical skills, attention to detail, adaptability
Average Annual Salary Range: $40,800–$54,100*
Show Caller
Responsibilities: Uses a detailed cue sheet to call lighting, sound, video, and other cues, ensuring all elements of the show align in real time.
Key Skills: Timing, communication, multitasking, attention to detail
Average Annual Salary Range: $50,000–$64,900*
LIGHTING
Lighting Designer
Responsibilities: Designs the show’s lighting environment to enrich the performance’s visual and emotional impact using color, movement and timing.
Key Skills: Creative design, knowledge of lighting equipment, software proficiency, collaboration
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,000–$86,700*
Lighting Director
Responsibilities: Designers often hand their work over to a director, who goes on the road and runs the lights at every show. Oversees set-up and handles inevitable tweaks, adjustments, and set and design changes along the way.
Key Skills: Knowledge of lighting equipment, software proficiency, ability to make creative changes on the fly, collaboration
Average Annual Salary Range: $71,000–$86,700*
Lighting Programmer
Responsibilities: Builds and operates lighting cues, working with automated fixtures and software to execute the lighting design live.
Key Skills: Programming proficiency, attention to detail, understanding of lighting consoles, timing
Average Annual Salary Range: $60,900–$64,000*
Rigging Technician
Responsibilities: Installs and maintains rigging systems that support lights, video screens, and other overhead equipment. Safety and precision are key.
Key Skills: Mechanical aptitude, safety protocols, physical fitness, problem-solving
Average Annual Salary Range: $63,000–$69,500*
Lighting Tech
Responsibilities: Works load-ins and load-outs, implements the physical setup of lighting equipment based on the lighting designer’s plans, ensuring technical accuracy and safety.
Key Skills: Electrical knowledge, team management, safety compliance, physically capable, problem-solving
Average Annual Salary Range: $60,000–$76,000*
VIDEO & VISUALS
Video/Media Creator
Responsibilities: Creates video elements for a show or concert from scratch and/or from found sources. Edits and coordinates to perfectly time with what is happening on stage. Can include roles such as media server operator, camera director, VJ or video editor.
Key Skills: Visually creative, technical proficiency, especially in editing software like FinalCut; creativity, storytelling, budgeting
Average Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$110,000+*
Video Director
Responsibilities: Directs the visual content for screens during a show, handling projections and recorded elements. Directs camera feeds and video playback.
Key Skills: Technical proficiency, leadership, creativity, collaboration
Average Annual Salary Range: $70,300–$88,000*
Camera Operator
Responsibilities: Captures the live event from multiple angles, ensuring key moments are visually documented. Works closely with the video director.
Key Skills: Camera operation, framing, adaptability, teamwork
Average Annual Salary Range: $51,000–$64,500*
Scenic/Set Designer
Responsibilities: Designs and oversees the building of the physical set, working with the production team to ensure visual impact, safety and functionality.
Key Skills: Design, construction knowledge, creativity, budget, collaboration
Average Annual Salary Range: $60,500–$79,000*
COSTUME, HAIR & MAKEUP
Costume Designer
Responsibilities: Designs performance outfits that enhance the story and style of the show, selecting fabrics, colors and accessories.
Key Skills: Fashion design, sewing, creativity, attention to detail
Average Annual Salary Range: $51,400–$69,000*
Wardrobe Supervisor
Responsibilities: Oversees costume care, organization and quick changes during performances, making sure every outfit is ready to go.
Key Skills: Organization, sewing, time management, problem-solving
Average Annual Salary Range: $45,200–$59,200*
Hair & Makeup Artist
Responsibilities: Completes the on-stage look for performers, designing styles that align with the performance theme and camera requirements.
Key Skills: Cosmetology expertise, creativity, time management, knowledge of theatrical and high-performance makeup, adaptability under pressure
Average Annual Salary Range: $45,500–$64,000*
SAFETY & LOGISTICS
Health & Safety Coordinator
Responsibilities: Ensures that all safety protocols are followed, from crew setup to emergency plans, prioritizing well-being on site.
Key Skills: Knowledge of safety regulations, risk assessment, calm decision-making, clear communication, and attention to detail
Average Annual Salary Range: $56,780–$71,430*
MARKETING & PROMOTION
Public Relations Specialist
Responsibilities: Handles press outreach, public messaging and media relations to promote the event and maintain a positive public image.
Key Skills: Strategic messaging, media relations, crisis communication, writing and relationship building.
Average Annual Salary Range: $58,920–$76,110*
Social Media Manager
Responsibilities: Develops and shares digital content before, during and after the event to engage audiences and build visibility.
Key Skills: Digital content creation, audience engagement, data analytics, platform strategy, adaptability in fast-paced environments
Average Annual Salary Range: $54,670–$69,820*
The live event world runs on passion, precision and creative problem-solving. It’s a field where artists, technicians and innovators work together to create unforgettable live experiences. Whether you’re drawn to technology, logistics, design or storytelling, there’s a path waiting for you in this industry — and it might be closer than you think.
Want to Explore More Music Industry Careers?
If you enjoyed learning about jobs in the live music events industry, explore other articles in our Music Industry Careers series:
Music Industry Careers: Jobs in Music Retail Stores
Music Industry Careers: Jobs in Music Products Manufacturing
Music Industry Careers: Jobs in Pro Audio
You can also visit NAMM’s careers page to explore local internships, talk to working professionals, or check out training programs at colleges and trade schools. The music industry needs your talent — even if your stage is backstage.
*Salaries vary depending on location, experience and specific responsibilities. Also, while some are hired full time and put on an annual salary by a band or a production house that serves the live event industry, many live event professionals are freelance, going from one show/job/band to another.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Audio Engineering Society, Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Sound on Sound, ProSoundWeb, YouTube
About the Author
Eric Ebel is senior program manager at NAMM for The NAMM Foundation. He manages market development and NAMM Foundation programs, including Consider a Career in Music, music educator and advocacy programming. He joined NAMM in 1997 and has held various roles, including show manager and senior trade show sales associate. With over 40 years in the music industry, Ebel has been a U.S. Marine Corps musician, product specialist, touring musician and faculty member at Musician’s Institute. He also performs regularly in Southern California.
Kevin M. Mitchell, Parnelli Awards producer and senior writer for Projection Lights & Staging News and Front of House magazines, reviewed this article.