What can you do with a Music Technology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Music Technology 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 62 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Music Technology graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 65%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 29% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Music Technology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Music Technology graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 3%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Technology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Disney College Program Merchandiser/Campus Representative
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Jan 2013 - Sep 2013
As a Campus Representative for Disney, this position may involve communication and customer service skills, but it does not directly relate to specialized knowledge in Music Technology.

Front of House Supervisor
Pashazade Restaurant
Nov 2013 - Feb 2015
Working as a Front of House Supervisor at a restaurant does not utilize the specific skills or knowledge gained from a degree in Music Technology, as it primarily focuses on hospitality and restaurant management.

Customer Development Representative, Customer Development Team Leader, Remodeling Consultant
Power Home Remodeling
Feb 2015 - Dec 2021
The role of Customer Development Representative involves sales and remodeling consultations unrelated to the core qualifications of Music Technology, which typically focuses on audio production and technology.

Assessment Associate
Success Academy Charter Schools
Jul 2022 - Jul 2023
The Assessment Associate position in a charter school environment does not engage the skill set or knowledge areas relevant to Music Technology, as it is more oriented towards education rather than music or technology.

Assessment Specialist
Success Academy Charter Schools
Jul 2023 - Present
As an Assessment Specialist, this role similarly lacks relevance to Music Technology, focusing instead on educational assessment without utilizing music-related skills or knowledge.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Coursera
2022 - 2022
ABOUT

Excited and detail-oriented data analyst transitioning from a career in the home improvement sales industry and seeking a full-time role in the field of data analytics. Recently completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate Program.

What jobs can you get with a Music Technology degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When diving into the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Music Technology, we uncover a wide array of jobs, some of which are strongly aligned with their field of study, while others barely touch on the skills they cultivated during their education. For many recent graduates, hands-on roles in audio engineering, live sound, and studio internships take center stage. These positions are especially common among graduates from schools like California State University-Dominguez Hills and the University of North Carolina at Asheville, all culminating in practical applications of their music technology skills.

Interestingly, there's a noticeable divergence in career relevance. While many graduates find work as audio engineers, music producers, or technicians, others drift into roles that only faintly relate to music technology. For instance, graduates from Kent State University have stepped into roles such as parking supervision or customer service, which hold minimal ties to their educational expertise. Conversely, those employed as music therapists, instructors, or engineers leverage their knowledge extensively, highlighting a clear distinction between roles that are inherently relevant to music technology and those that aren't. Overall, while a portion of Music Technology graduates successfully transitions into related careers, a significant number navigate into unrelated fields, leading us to ask if they truly harness the potential of their education.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Technology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Music Technology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Music Technology, it's clear there are some common themes and pathways that emerge. Many of the recent graduates, especially those who finished their studies around 2020 to 2023, seem to have jumped into internships or entry-level positions in studios or technical roles related to audio and sound engineering. For instance, graduates from California State University-Dominguez Hills and the University of North Carolina Asheville have both started off their careers with studio internships, allowing them to gain hands-on experience right away. This trend suggests that fresh grads are likely to land roles that are closely aligned with their academic focus, particularly in audio engineering or event technology, which is promising for those aspiring to work in the music industry.

However, the five- to ten-year outlook for these graduates varies significantly. While some individuals continue to progress in technical roles, such as audio engineers or multimedia technicians, others pursue careers that stray from their original music technology trajectory. For example, a notable number of graduates from older cohorts have ended up in unrelated fields—like customer service or project management—indicating a potential lack of opportunities in their primary industry. We see graduates from Capital University and Georgia State University branching into roles that may not leverage their music technology skills directly, which could be seen as a red flag for the sustainability of the music tech job market. On the flip side, some have successfully transitioned into higher-responsibility roles within their field, like lead technicians or music producers, showcasing that there are paths to success for those who stay engaged in the industry.

Overall, while many Music Technology graduates find relevant entry-level positions soon after college, there appears to be a considerable divide after five years: some remain committed and successful in their field, while others venture into various unrelated careers. This reflects a challenging landscape for job stability and satisfaction in the music tech domain, urging prospective students to consider practical experience and networking opportunities seriously during their studies.

How hard is a Music Technology degree?

The Bachelor degree in Music Technology can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, if you already have a passion for music and a basic understanding of technology, you might find some aspects of the program pretty enjoyable and manageable. You’ll get to dive into cool stuff like sound engineering, production techniques, and digital audio workstations, which can be a blast if you love tinkering with sound. However, don’t be fooled—there are definitely challenging parts, like mastering technical skills, learning about acoustics, and getting into the nitty-gritty of audio theory, which can be tough. So, overall, it’s probably a bit harder than your average degree because it demands both creative and analytical skills, but if you’re into it, you might find the challenge rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Technology.

Do Music Technology graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these music tech graduates, there’s a mixed bag in terms of potential earnings. For example, those who landed roles like audio engineers or technicians at established companies or studios, like the graduates from California State University-Dominguez Hills and DigiPen Institute of Technology, might be on their way to making decent money as they advance in their roles. Some have found steady positions quickly, which is promising for their financial future, especially if they continue climbing the ladder.

On the flip side, some graduates seem to be juggling multiple internships or freelance gigs, such as those from the University of North Carolina Asheville and Kent State University. While this can build experience, it may not lead to stable income right away. Ultimately, the trajectory for many of these grads appears to depend on how they leverage their early experiences and whether they can transition into higher-paying roles in the industry or related fields.

What buzzwords do Music Technology graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Technology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Music Technology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Music Technology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Music Technology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count