Music professions

What Can You Do With a Musicology Degree? (7 Jobs To Consider)

Updated April 18, 2024

If you have an interest in the history and cultural significance of music, a degree in musicology can offer many opportunities to work in the industry or within academic and research institutions. These degree programs help graduates grow their skills in analysis, writing and presentation. Learning more about the career options for musicology majors can help you decide if this path is the best fit for your goals. In this article, we list jobs for musicologists, including salary details and key job duties for each role.Related: 22 Careers for Music Majors

What is a degree in musicology?

A musicology degree allows you to study the sociological connections between music and other subjects. Musicology focuses on the evolution of music in the context of history, literature and performance. Unlike degrees in music that focus on musical theory and technical composition, a musicology degree includes comparative and theoretical studies, typically at the master's and doctoral level.Students earning a musicology degree can also pursue specialties in areas that combine a certain field of study with musical connections. Specialized degrees like ethnomusicology give students the chance to explore the social and cultural ties between music and ethnic groups.Related: How To Become a Music Therapist

What can you do with a musicology degree?

Studying musicology can prepare you for a variety of roles in different industries. From education to entertainment, graduates of this program can find a range of professional opportunities. Here are some of the careers you can pursue with a musicology degree:

1. Radio announcer

National average salary: $33,787 per yearPrimary duties: Radio announcers share information and anecdotes to connect with an audience. They also help choose and play music, interview artists and inform listeners with relevant details about a piece of music. Musicologists can use their vast background in types of music to expose radio audiences to new artists and styles. They can also share their knowledge of historical information about musical genres and eras.

2. Music manager

National average salary: $47,413 per yearPrimary duties: Music managers oversee the promotion and success of an artist or group of performers. They may sign talent to a contract, providing their services for a specific amount of time or number of gigs. Music managers may also advise artists on their sound, look and marketing strategies. Using their knowledge of music history and the social significance behind different genres and traditions, a musicologist can help groups and artists successfully create their unique sound and brand.

3. Museum curator

National average salary: $62,023 per yearPrimary duties: Curators oversee the collections at museums that are both public and privately operated. They help with the acquisition of specific pieces to show at the museum or secure traveling exhibitions that fit the overall mission and theme of the organization. Curators ensure that exhibits remain safe and see that guests are engaged in each collection. They may also assist in storing and collecting artifacts, working with archivists to secure items as they are recovered and studied outside the museum or within special facilities that are part of the institution.

4. Professor

National average salary: $61,014 per yearPrimary duties: Musicology professors instruct students in music history and ethnic traditions. They might also teach music appreciation courses for undergraduates or other music-related electives. While working for an academic institution, musicology professors may also conduct their own research and publish their findings in journals to help further their practice and add knowledge to the musical community. Musicologists can pursue lecturing in academic institutions after finishing their own post-graduate studies.

5. Research associate

National average salary: $63,017 per yearPrimary duties: Research associates assist academic institutions, private companies and government organization in conducting research studies. They also help categorize and record data throughout the research process. Musicologists working in research may assist in collecting first-person accounts of music-related events or record ethic performances.

6. Music agent

National average salary: $55,385 per yearPrimary duties: A music agent works with individual musicians and bands to secure performances in a variety of venues in different locations. Agents earn a state license to practice in the music industry. They focus on the business side of arranging performances to keep the artist working and earning. Musicologists working as music agents can use their understanding of the complex connection between music and culture, working with talent from a range of musical styles.

7. Archivist

National average salary: $57,647 per yearPrimary duties: Archivists prepare artifacts, written documents and other items associated with historical knowledge. They carefully preserve and review items to decide if they should be designated as historically significant. Archivists help prepare objects, documents and files for display in museums by creating descriptions of items and sharing their relevancy with the public. An archivist may work for a certain institution or offer their services as a freelance consultant.

Other jobs for musicologists

As a musicologist, you can also pursue a variety of specialty positions in the entertainment industry, academic institutions and other businesses associated with music and audio services. Consider working as a consultant for musical productions for the stage and film. Certain productions may require advice about the representation of musical selections, interpretation and staging for the production. You may also find work with audio and technology companies that create programs for music playlists, voice recognition or audio recordings. Some musicologists act as consultants for music publishing and licensing companies.Related: 15 Jobs in the Music Industry

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Musicology FAQs

Here are some common questions with answers to help you learn more about pursuing musicology:

How long does it take to earn a musicology degree?

Because musicologists typically fill high-level research or educational roles, a master's or doctorate degree is necessary to qualify for jobs in the field. After earning your bachelor's degree, a musicology degree usually requires two to three additional years of study. Earning a doctorate can require up to four more years beyond a bachelor's degree or master's in another discipline.Related: 46 Jobs You Can Pursue With a Bachelor in Fine Arts

What undergraduate degree can I pursue to prepare for a musicology degree?

Earning your bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts, music, history, sociology or anthropology can prepare you for further studies in musicology. Focus on programs that offer courses in music theory and history and cultural literacy. Consider getting involved with musical groups and studying an instrument. You don't have to play or sing to study musicology, but a basic knowledge and appreciation of musical expression is an important part of musicology. Exposing yourself to musical styles can help you gain a deeper understanding of musical performance before you begin to study for your graduate program.

What skills can help me as a musicologist?

Since musicology combines multiple disciplines to view musical expression and history, certain soft skills can add relevant abilities to assist you in your degree program and career. Critical thinking is an important attribute for musicologists who analyze musical traditions and artifacts. Recognizing patterns and connections between cultures and societies takes critical thought. Musicologists also need to be strong communicators, as they often teach others about the importance of musical expression throughout history.Hard skills like mastering a musical instrument and learning musical theory to read notes can also advance your opportunities in this role. Consider learning an instrument like guitar or piano, which can act as a foundation for other complex instruments.