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First, some facts. Of the Music Performance graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 227 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Music Performance graduates have a much lower likelihood (-17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 45% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Music Performance graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 53% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Vocal Performance in Music Performance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPreschool Teacher School Kids Clubhouse Nov 2013 - Jun 2014 Music Director  Auburn Parks and Recreation Mar 2015 - Apr 2015 Teller Columbia Bank Jul 2015 - Feb 2016 Administrative Assistant Cascade Helicopter Services Feb 2016 - Mar 2021 Private Vocal Coach ManeStage Theatre (Volunteer Postiotn) Jun 2013 - Present Junior Loan Consultant loanDepot Mar 2021 - Dec 2021 Internal Loan Consultant loanDepot Dec 2021 - Present ABOUT[NAME REMOVED] joined loanDepot in 2021 bringing valuable experience and desire to help assist others in securing their American Dream of owning a home. After receiving her Bachelors degree from Washington University, [NAME REMOVED] longed for an opportunity to help people and found lending a special experience. Given [NAME REMOVED]s natural knack for finance and passion to help people, loan origination made for a perfect career choice.Whether it be a first-time home buyer or an experienced one, [NAME REMOVED] is always ready to design the perfect loan to match her clients needs, no matter what hurdles stand along the way. Because of her extensive knowledge of loan programs, problem-solving skills and steadfast commitment to customer service, [NAME REMOVED] ensures that each borrower receives superior guidance as they pursue one of the most personal investments of their lifetime.When she is not busy helping families realize their homeownership dream, [NAME REMOVED] enjoys all things Theatre! She has been performing in the community theatre productions for 10 years! You can find her at the Bellevue branch. Please dont hesitate to contact her for any of your home financing needs! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After examining the diverse career paths of individuals with a degree in Music Performance, it becomes clear that most have pursued roles that do not directly align with their technical training and skills in music. The data highlights a significant shift from performing arts to administrative, managerial, and educational positions, many of which either employ only a fraction of their musical expertise or are entirely unrelated to music performance. Common roles include music teachers, instructors, or directors, which are certainly relevant; however, a substantial number of these individuals have also gravitated towards roles in retail, sales, or even completely different fields such as administrative support or customer service. When breaking down the data, approximately half of the jobs analyzed appear to reflect a connection to music performance, while the other half range from tangentially related to completely unrelated.
The most relevant occupations tend to be those within educational settings, such as music teachers or instructors at various levels, where the application of performance skills is daily and fundamental. Many graduates also find roles in churches and community organizations that focus on music direction or leading choirs, which align closely with their degree. However, roles like administrative assistants or customer service representatives highlight a concerning trend where individuals with specialized music degrees are underutilized in positions that do not leverage their primary skills. For instance, many who now work in management, sales, or even as event coordinators have pivoted to jobs that emphasize general soft skills rather than the unique talents honed through their studies. This indicates a broader issue in the arts, where many graduates may struggle to secure positions directly tied to their field of study, often leading them to compromise for positions that apply less of their artistic training.
In conclusion, while it's great to see many graduates transition into roles that offer relevance to their music performance training, there remains a broad spectrum of positions that reflect a significant divergence from the expectations tied to their degree. The high number of positions unrelated or only partially related to music signifies a potential gap in the job market for music graduates, suggesting greater support and opportunity could be beneficial in ensuring these individuals can thrive in roles that accurately reflect their capabilities and training in music performance.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Performance graduates:
The career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Music Performance can vary significantly, highlighting a mix of passion-driven jobs in the arts and more practical roles outside the realm of music. For recent graduates, the first jobs tend to be closely related to their music background—such as teaching music, performing, or working in music administration. Over time, however, many graduates find themselves pivoting to unrelated fields or taking on roles that utilize transferable skills rather than specific musical expertise.
For instance, a graduate from Gettysburg College in 2019 started their career in ambassador and community engagement roles, which, while they employ communication and organizational skills, are quite distant from a traditional music director or performer position. This trend appears in several other examples, where graduates have held positions like administrative assistants, sales roles, or various non-music-related jobs within five to ten years after graduation. Meanwhile, some graduates have maintained consistent involvement with music throughout their careers, taking on roles like music educators or performers, but it's noteworthy that these opportunities can be quite competitive and may not always provide sustainable livelihoods.
As time goes on, the variance becomes even more pronounced. Graduates from prestigious music schools like Berklee College of Music sometimes take non-musical positions as logistics schedulers or marketing coordinators, indicating a shift toward roles with more stability or financial security. Many alumni, even those still tied to music, may work in teaching or administration, which can be fulfilling but might not align with their original performance aspirations. Others venture into fields like finance or digital marketing entirely, suggesting that while a degree in Music Performance can open certain paths, the practical realities of job markets often necessitate broader employment searches. In summary, while many music performance graduates initially find jobs related to their field, the longer-term picture shows a significant number transitioning into roles that don't specifically engage their musical training, revealing a mixed bag of career outcomes.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance can be pretty tough, honestly, but it really depends on your passion and dedication. If you love music and have been playing an instrument or singing for a while, it might feel challenging but also super rewarding. The coursework involves not just performance but also music theory, ear training, and sometimes even composition, which can be a lot to juggle. Plus, you’ll likely have to perform a lot in front of people, which can be nerve-wracking! So if you're all in and ready to put in the hours of practice, it can definitely be manageable, but don't underestimate the commitment it takes to master your craft. Overall, it’s probably a bit harder than your average degree, especially if you're aiming for excellence in your performances.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Performance.
Looking at these music performance graduates, it seems like they’ve had pretty mixed experiences when it comes to making decent money. For example, the Gettysburg College grad seems to be more focused on social work and internships, which typically don't pay very well, especially in the early stages of a career. On the flip side, someone from DePauw University has transitioned into a tech role, which likely pays better, as tech is generally considered a more lucrative field than music performance. However, many of them have jobs as teachers or musicians, which can vary greatly in income depending on location and opportunities.
Some individuals, like the University of California, Los Angeles grad working in corporate communications, are likely pulling in a pretty good salary, especially as they advance in the industry. On the other hand, students who spend multiple years freelancing or focusing on teaching might not reach the same earnings levels. Overall, while some graduates seem to find routes that offer better financial stability, others appear to be navigating through lower-paying roles within their field. So, if financial security is a top priority for you, it might be worth exploring additional avenues or even complementary skills outside of pure performance.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Music Performance. This may or may not be useful:
