If you’re a musician, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered how to make money from music—and why wouldn’t you? Music can be a fulfilling and profitable way to do what you love.
Revenue from recorded music hit a high in 2025, at $5.6 billion, according to the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). And that’s just recorded music. Even if you’re just a fan and not a musician yourself, you can still turn your passion into a business. From DJing to teaching music lessons to opening an ecommerce record store, there are plenty of ways to make money from music. Rather than relying on just one music-focused income stream, you can consider combining several to build a sustainable career.
Ahead, discover the top options for how to make money with music today.
How to make money from your original music
- Record an album
- Licensing
- Music streaming
- Digital downloads
- Physical recordings
- Live gigs
- Merchandise sales
- Upload to stock music libraries
- Music scoring for film and TV
Making money with your original music takes perseverance and continued effort. As Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce of Snotty Nose Rez Kids says on Shopify Masters, “Nothing happens overnight. … Don’t be afraid to learn, and don’t be discouraged by the letdowns, because everything goes up from there.”
Here are a few ways to get started:
1. Record an album
For many musicians, recording an album is the ultimate dream. Once your album is complete, you can earn money through licensing and royalty fees, and by selling physical formats, like vinyl.
However, recording a studio album can be expensive. Exact costs will depend on your vision. For example: Will you need session musicians? Special equipment? Studio time alone can run several thousand dollars, and might not include a recording engineer and other essential personnel.
As an alternative, you might consider recording a demo at home—just like legends such as Bruce Springsteen and Billie Eilish. Just know that if you want your songs to sound radio-ready, you may need to hire a professional. Mastering an album ensures consistent sound quality across tracks, and requires specialized skills beyond producing.
If you’re short on funds, you can use a crowdfunding site like Kickstarter to raise money for your album. To run a successful crowdfunding campaign, start by building a fanbase and sharing your songs on popular social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Engage your fans by creating content that puts a face to your music, like behind-the-scenes videos and mini music videos.
You also can pursue a record deal. Networking with fellow musicians and music industry professionals can help. So can playing live shows, posting your work online, and building a social media following.
Record labels often cover production costs, but you may have to give up creative control—so read the fine print and ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
2. Licensing
You’ve crafted a great piece of music—congrats! Now learn how to make money from music licensing.
Anyone who wants to use your original music must license it. You’ll earn either an upfront fee or royalties, which are payouts every time your song is used.
The main types of licensing include:
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Master-use. This license allows someone to use your recording. For example, if a singer wants to sample your track in theirs, they’ll need to obtain a master-use license for your recording.
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Synchronization. This lets someone pair your music with visuals in television, film, or commercials. This license applies only to your composition (music and lyrics) and not your recording, so it’s often paired with a master license.
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Mechanical. This licenses your composition, not your recording. For example, you would need to obtain a mechanical license to record a cover of someone else’s song.
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Public performance. Anyone who wants to play your song in a public space needs a public performance license from you as the copyright owner. You can then receive performance royalties.
If you’re signed, your record label or music publisher usually handles licensing. If not, you can join a performing rights organization, like Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) or ASCAP, to collect and distribute your royalties.*
3. Music streaming
Uploading your tracks to music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music can be one option for how to make money from music. You’ll then receive streaming revenue when listeners play your songs.
While streaming royalties are low—often less than a penny—they can add up over time. In fact, data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shows that music streaming made up 84% of recorded music revenue in 2025.
To get your own music on Spotify or other platforms, you may need to sign up with a distributor. They’ll charge a fee or a commission, but will also pay your royalties whenever your songs are streamed. Spotify has a list of recommended distributors.
4. Digital downloads
Aside from streaming, you can sell digital downloads of your songs and albums, which lets your fans own a copy of your recording.
Consider selling your tracks on large music platforms like iTunes and Bandcamp. The latter is relatively simple (and free) to set up, and you’ll keep 85% of your profits until you make $5,000 in sales, then 90% after that.
Want to keep all of your earnings and learn more about your listeners? Sell your music on your own ecommerce website. Platforms like Shopify allow you to sell digital downloads, physical albums, and merch, all in one place.
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5. Physical recordings
Despite streaming’s popularity, many consumers still crave a physical connection with their music. Plenty of fans purchase physical media like vinyl records and CDs. RIAA reports that consumers spent roughly $576.4 million on physical recordings in 2025, with three quarters of that spent on vinyl.
That opens the door to selling physical formats both on your ecommerce site and at live shows, using a point-of-sale system like Shopify POS. You can burn CDs on your own, but you’ll need to outsource the vinyl production process.
Vinyl records offer a creative edge. You can create custom sleeves, inserts, and even colored vinyl. Several online services can press records to your specifications, like Hellbender Vinyl or Disc Makers.
6. Live gigs
The money you can make from performing your original music live varies widely. Local gigs might net less than $100 per player, while national touring bands can make tens of thousands of dollars per night.
A manager or a platform like ReverbNation Gig Finder can help you book local shows. Good old-fashioned networking still works too—start small and find venues that are open to new acts.
7. Merchandise sales
Some touring musicians make more money selling merchandise at their shows than they do selling tickets. Producer and Bleachers vocalist Jack Antonoff went so far as to call merch sales “literally the only way you make money when you start out touring.”
Selling merch yourself is a way to make money directly from fans, since you’ll be cutting out intermediaries like music venues. Merch with personality helps fans show support and gives you another great option for how to make money from music.
“All the time, I’m being asked by people who are not in the industry, ’How can I support the artists the most?’” says Gourmet Délice, founder of record label Bonsound, on an episode of Shopify Masters. “It’s always been the case, but now even more than before, it’s through the merch, through the LPs, through the physical products.”
Set up an online merchandise store in minutes with Shopify and use Shopify POS to sell at live shows and events. Snotty Nose Rez Kids, for example, uses a Shopify site to sell their merch. You can also connect your store to sales channels like Instagram and YouTube and even Spotify. Just add the Spotify for Artists app to your Shopify store to get started.
Not a design pro? Partner with an artist friend or hire a freelancer on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Print on demand companies can help you produce and ship your merch. You can integrate these platforms with your Shopify site to further streamline the order fulfillment process.
8. Upload to stock music libraries
Stock music libraries connect musicians with licensing opportunities for TV shows, movies, ads, and other artists’ songs. They work like stock image libraries, but instead of images, media creators license tracks for their projects.
To get your work into well-known stock music libraries like APM Music, being signed with a label helps. So does creating record tracks with commercial appeal. Think soothing acoustic music for spa ads or high-energy beats for sports car commercials.
You can also sell your tracks—especially beats—to other artists. Beats are foundational tracks used in larger compositions. Since the space is crowded, network with artists directly online and off. You can upload your tracks to beat marketplaces like BeatStars.
9. Music scoring for film and TV
Film scoring is the art of composing music for movies or TV shows. It can require close collaboration with a director, and sometimes a real-life orchestra.
Today, most films are scored with MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) production, which involves creating virtual orchestras and bands using instrument samples rather than live players.
Many professional film scorers are classically trained composers, and breaking into the industry can be difficult without a formal background. To get started, build a robust, varied portfolio and network with filmmakers.
You might offer to score indie projects for free, or pursue a degree like a master of music from the USC Thornton Screen Scoring program. Internships or entry-level jobs with experienced composers are another way in.
Film and TV composers earn most of their income through royalties. As an intern or assistant, you might earn an hourly wage plus a writing credit (and potential royalties) on any music you help write.
On big-budget films, the studio covers production and pays you a creative fee—but they’ll own the music you create. You’ll make money through royalties. On smaller projects, composers often retain ownership of their material in exchange for lower upfront fees.
How to make money as a musician for hire
You don’t have to perform your own original songs to have a sustainable music career. There are a number of ways to make money as a musician for hire:
10. Session work
If you’re skilled with your instrument, one option for how to make money from music is session work. You can play on other artists’ studio recordings, or record music for television and movie scores. Session work usually requires mastery of your instrument, including sight-reading and improvisation.
It’s competitive, but seasoned studio musicians can earn hundreds per hour and even receive royalties. In the US, many of these jobs are protected by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) labor union. You’ll need to become a member of your local chapter before you can land a union gig. Rates vary depending on the project, but you can expect to make around $100 an hour.
Like other aspects of the music industry, breaking into session work takes effort. Start by networking with other musicians. After you’ve played a few gigs, you can build a reputation as a reliable, talented session musician, leading to referrals from artists and studios.
11. Songwriting for hire
Top artists hire professional songwriters. To pursue work as a songwriter, you can write independently or sign to a music publisher that can connect you with bigger acts. If you opt for the first route, get started by networking with musicians and producers.
Most top songwriters have publishing deals. These often include an upfront advance followed by royalties once your song is released, much like a record deal. Open mics and writing workshops can help you enter publishers’ orbits. You can then pitch yourself with polished demos of your songs. Not a singer? Hire someone who can bring your songs to life.
You can also co-write with a signed songwriter. To find opportunities, network and showcase your body of work. Build a portfolio site and grow your social media presence to highlight your talent.
12. Live performances
There’s money to be made performing live, whether you go on tour with an original artist or play covers at events. Musicians and singers had a median pay of $42.45 per hour in 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you’re willing to travel, touring can pay well. Whole landing a tour gig can involve competitive auditions, touring artists typically get a weekly fee, plus meals and lodging covered.
Another way to make money as a musician is by playing covers at weddings and corporate events. Many professional musicians gig with cover bands between touring and recording gigs. To land cover gigs, network with other musicians and develop a solid repertoire of popular songs. And if you can sing—even better.
13. DJing
DJs are a go-to alternative to live bands for weddings, parties, and clubs. You don’t need to play an instrument to DJ, though it can help your rhythm and timing. If you’re interested in creating your own mixes, learn to use software like Ableton or Logic Pro.
Build your set from existing tracks or mix in your own original tracks. Venues are often responsible for securing licenses to play other artists’ songs, but double check just in case. Promote your DJing business by creating a website and focusing on local SEO to book gigs in your area.
How to make money from music-themed ecommerce stores
You don’t have to perform or write music to profit from it. If you love music gear, vinyl, or discovering great sounds, ecommerce offers plenty of ways to turn your passion into a business. Here are a few ways to make money online and in-person without making music yourself:
14. Opening a record stores
Vinyl sales have seen a resurgence in the past 20 years, according to the RIAA. If you have a wide breadth of musical knowledge and a passion for discovering new music, you can tap into vinyl’s comeback by opening a record store.
You can sell new records from a wholesale supplier, or sell used records—which you can pick up at estate sales, auctions, or flea markets.
Setting up a shop on a platform like Shopify is easy. Pre-made templates and a drag-and-drop editor let you build a site without coding knowledge. You can even use Shopify’s AI site builder, which lets you build a website in minutes.
If you want to run an in-person store too, you can easily connect your Shopify store to a brick-and-mortar location with Shopify’s point-of-sale system. This syncs online and offline orders and inventory.
15. Starting a music supply shop
Musicians need everything from guitar picks to microphones. If you know music gear inside and out, consider setting up a music shop.
Tailoring your offerings to a small target audience can make you the go-to resource for a specific type of product. Specializing also allows you to build a brand reputation based on expertise. For example, Elderly focuses on plucked string instruments like guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. It has an ecommerce website alongside a physical storefront in Lansing, Michigan.
Set up your store with a platform like Shopify. You can choose to source your products from manufacturers or wholesalers to store your inventory yourself. Another option is using a dropshipping model to handle storage and shipping.
Try advertising your products with a robust email marketing strategy. You can use the free Shopify Messaging to send emails about sales or the arrival of new products, or to set up automations like abandoned cart reminders. Shopify Messaging lets you create newsletters with behind-the-scenes content to keep customers engaged. Some examples include deep-dives on individual products or videos of musicians playing your instruments.
Other ways to make money from music
If performing or selling records isn’t your thing, there are other options for how to make money from music—from teaching to content creation.
16. Teaching music lessons
Teaching music is a great way to share your passion and earn a steady income.
Offer lessons in-person or online through platforms like Udemy, Google Classroom, and Patreon. Market yourself with a website highlighting your skills and expertise. Platforms like Shopify integrate with appointment booking apps, which can help you streamline the scheduling process.
You can also sell prerecorded video lessons with sheet music or tablature as an online course, or write an ebook with easy-to-learn songs. Shopify makes it easy to sell downloadable digital content like this on your site. This is a great way to add a passive revenue stream to your income.
17. Content creation
Musical content can be popular and lucrative. From MIDI production tutorials on YouTube to podcasts discussing the latest album releases, playing or talking about playing music online can attract dedicated fans.
Music creators make money on social media through influencer marketing or affiliate marketing. You can also monetize your content through in-platform programs that allow you to host ads on your posts in exchange for a cut of the ad revenue. For example, you can make money on YouTube by participating in the YouTube Partner Program. This program pays creators based on ad views, clicks, and viewer engagement, and offers access to premium creator tools.
You can also set up an ecommerce site to sell your own products like merch. You can connect your Shopify site with sites like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram and sell to customers there.
Another way to monetize your content is with a subscription offering. You’ll set your monthly subscription price, then incentivize sign-ups by offering subscribers exclusive content. Subscriber content could include behind-the-scenes vlogs, detailed music lessons that include tabs or sheet music, interviews with fellow musicians, and more.
One way to sell subscriptions is by leveraging in-platform tools like YouTube channel memberships and Facebook subscriptions. These programs let you charge fans a monthly subscription fee. YouTube takes 30% of channel membership revenue; Facebook lets you keep 100% of subscription revenue. In both cases, however, you’ll be charged an additional 30% when a fan buys a subscription on the app.
You can also sell on platforms like Substack or Patreon, which are membership platforms built around the idea of selling subscriptions to fans. Both take 10% of subscription revenue.
18. Producing
Just like you can write songs or play instruments for other artists, you can also produce their music. To produce means overseeing the recording process, adding sounds and effects, editing, and shaping the final sound. Producers can either work for a flat fee or negotiate a share of royalties for a song.
To explore how to make money from music producing, start by partnering with local musicians; social media is a great way to connect. Showcase your work on your profiles, and reach out to artists looking for music producers.
Stay authentic and focus on musicians whose sound you understand and can enhance. For example, if you’re a hip-hop producer, you might not want to pitch your services to a country artist, and vice versa.
Producers also compose original music, from bass lines and beats to instrumental hooks. At the highest level, they even help artists co-write their songs.
19. Music therapy
Using musical activities such as singing, playing instruments, listening to music, and songwriting, music therapists help clients improve communication, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance motor skills, express emotion, and facilitate social interaction.
Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and private practices. They collaborate with other health care professionals to support their clients through music.
To become a licensed music therapist, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy and take a test to receive your official certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
*This post is for information only. The world of music licensing is complicated. To learn the ins and outs and ensure you are being paid fairly, consult with an intellectual property lawyer. You are responsible for reviewing and using this information appropriately. This content doesn’t contain and isn’t meant to provide legal, tax, or business advice. Requirements are updated frequently and you should make sure to do your own research and reach out to professional legal, tax, and business advisers, as needed. To sell products using the Shopify platform, you must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction of your business and your customers, the Shopify Terms of Service, the Shopify Acceptable Use Policy, and any other applicable policies.
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How to make money from music FAQ
How can I make money from my music?
There are a number of ways to make money from music. For example, you can earn money if you perform live at concerts and events like weddings. You can also work as a session musician, teach music lessons, or start an ecommerce music store.
What are the best ways to monetize my music?
The best ways to monetize your music include selling your tracks to other musicians and growing a fan base on social media platforms. Then explore influencer marketing and affiliate marketing. You can also use social media to promote your upcoming tracks and encourage merchandise sales.
How can I make money from live performances?
You can make money from live performances by charging a fee that’s paid by the venue, selling tickets to fans, and selling merchandise at your shows.
How do I get my music on streaming platforms?
- Register with a music distribution company.
- Submit your catalog of songs.
- Add metadata to your songs to make them searchable.
- Have your tracks uploaded to key streaming platforms.
How can I sell merchandise as a musician?
- Choose the merch you want to sell, whether it’s t-shirts, mugs, or home décor.
- Create your designs.
- Set up your online store using Shopify.
- Sell your merch online, and in-person at shows.
- Automate production with a print-on-demand app.
What is music licensing, and how can I make money from it?
Music licensing involves adding a fee to purchase each track you upload. If someone wants to use your song in a commercial, TV show, or film, they must pay the license fee.
How can I make money as a music teacher?
- Consider what skills you have to offer.
- Decide on your pricing and rates.
- Set up your online school with a platform like Shopify or Udemy, or secure a space to provide in-person lessons.
- Promote your classes to your audience.
How do I get started with music production and make money from it?
- Create a website and upload samples of your tracks.
- Choose your genre.
- Network with musicians in person and on social media.
- Sell your beats online, through a music library, or on your ecommerce website.
- Produce tracks for other artists.
What is music publishing, and how can I make money from it?
Music publishing involves monetizing your tracks and compositions. You get paid royalties every time someone uses your composition in an ad, TV show, or film.
How can I build a fan base on YouTube and make money from it?
Plan your content. This can include performances, music tutorials, and more. Upload videos of your concerts and other content. Engage with your community in comments. Share affiliate links, enter an influencer partnership, promote your online store and merchandise, or join YouTube’s Partner Program to make money from ads.
