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.
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.
