Job market information
Finding out about music
The music industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.
The music industry includes trade associations, businesses and employers in: recording/labels companies; music publishers; musical instruments; audio production and retail; live events and promotion; specialist music retailers; not‐for‐profit music organisation; as well as music education and training providers.
Key facts:
- There are 102,220 people working in the music industry, of which:
- 50,780 work in live performance
- 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument/audio equipment
- 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings
- 10,190 in recording
- 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing
- 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities
- Employment in music increased by 8% between 2004 and 2006.
- 25% of the workforce is located in London.
- There are 13,760 businesses, of which 89% employ less than 50 people.
- The music industry contributes £4.2 billion to the UK economy.
- 46% of the music workforce is self‐employed.
- 34% of the workforce works part‐time.
- Women in the industry are slightly more highly qualified than men (38% have an above level 4 qualification as their highest qualification compared with 35% of men).
- Women are likely to earn less money than men (78% of women in music earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 51% of men).
- 36% of those working in the music industry have at least a level 4 qualification.
- 8% of the workforce has no qualifications.
Jobs in the industry include: agent, artistic director, classical musician, composer/arranger DJ, lighting technician, lyricist/songwriter, manager (music), music and audio manufacturer, music conductor, music teacher, performer (recording artist), publicity and promotions, singer, sound engineer.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements are varied. There is a wide range of educational opportunities (at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level) and graded exams in music performance, music literacy and music theatre. There is some concern that students are entering courses in further and higher education, which do not lead to employment, but also that employers are not engaging adequately with the training and education world. In the classical music sector, qualifications gained at a small number of conservatoires in the Conservatoires UK group are often preferred by employers.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
102,210 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
13,760 |
|---|
| Gender: |
66% male |
34% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
92% of the workforce is white |
|---|
| Age: |
50% of the workforce is under 40 years of age |
|---|
| 13% is aged between 25‐29 years |
| 13% is aged between 35‐39 years |
[N.B. Data from Creative and Cultural Skills Workforce Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
There is an estimated need for 30,000 technical staff and the need to replace and expand the current workforce by 2013, in part to support the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Key drivers of change in the industry include:
- IT and Digital Technology – this ranges from convergence of product delivery onto digital platforms, to the ease with which new music can be created and marketed.
- Intellectual Property – with new distribution channels, challenges arise in both formal and informal ways of accessing music.
- Marketing Specialisms – the role of marketing in achieving commercial success, particularly in a global marketplace, continues to be of prime importance.
- Small Music Firms – these businesses have considerable entrepreneurial drive led by people who will invest their personal funds in their businesses.
Skill requirements and shortages
Drivers of skill requirements in the industry are: IT and digital technology developments; the challenges of intellectual property; marketing in a global marketplace; and entrepreneurial skills in small music firms. Future skills for the industry include: creating and managing knowledge; management skills; selling and marketing skills; IT and digital skills; negotiation skills; and performing skills.
Occupational trends
Across the creative and cultural industries, employment in professional, associated and technical roles will increase by 26% over the next few years, compared with 15% across the UK. 39% of creative and cultural employers state that all occupations will maintain their current importance.
National and regional data
Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK music workforce is located in Northern Ireland. The music industry in Northern Ireland contributes £59 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the music workforce is white and 63% of the workforce is male. 34% of the music workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.
Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 6% of the UK music workforce is located in Scotland. The music industry in Scotland contributes £230 million to the UK economy. 98% of the music workforce is white. 30% of the music workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.
Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK music workforce is located in Wales. The music industry in Wales contributes £69 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 69% of the workforce is male. 38% of the Welsh music workforce is self‐employed.
[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]
East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.
East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.
North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.
South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.
South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the wage structure of the current workforce:
- 5% earn more than £41,000 per year
- 19% earn between £29,000 ‐ £41,000
- 16% earn between £20,000 ‐ £29,000
- 21% earn between £10,000 ‐ £20,000
- 39% earn less than £10,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Creative and Cultural Skills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
