Berklee Guide to Music and Careers in Dollars and Cents

Berklee College of Music has published the 2012 edition of its Music Salary Guide (formally titled Music Careers in Dollars and Cents).  While interesting and useful for a number of reasons, it is of particular relevance for entertainment lawyers called upon to provide guidance to clients regarding the “going rate” for various activities.  For example, the Guide identifies the various tiers of fees payable to music supervisors depending on the budget of the film project on which they are working ($10,000 – 45,000 for a “low budget feature”).  While some of the ranges provided are far too open-ended to be much of much assistance (e.g., film score composers can expect $35,000 – $2,000,000+ for a “studio feature”), many of the sample fees provided are much more tightly identified and the “Additional Information” notes can be quite informative.  Covering aspects of the music industry as varied as record label A&R reps, instrument makers and assistant audio engineers on videogame projects, the Berklee Guide is a handy reference source for anyone who needs some guidance regarding market rates for fees and salaries in the various facets of the music industry.