How To Make Money From Music: 19 Ways To Explore (2026)

There are many ways to make money from music: Monetizing digital streams, playing live gigs, and licensing original music are just some of the methods you can try to turn your musical talents into revenue.

And there’s more money than ever in the industry: annual revenue hit an all-time high of $11.5 billion in 2025, according to the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).

This guide breaks down 19 different ways to make money with music, with advice from real musicians and industry professionals.

How to make money from your original music

• Record an album
• Licensing
• Music streaming
• Digital downloads
• Physical recordings
• Live gigs
• Upload to stock music libraries
• Music scoring for film and TV
• Merchandise sales

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.”

There are a few ways you can start making money from your own music:

Record an album

There are multiple ways to make money from a recorded album. Once your album is complete, you can earn 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 cost hundreds of dollars per hour, and might not include a recording engineer and other essential personnel. 

As an alternative, you might consider recording a demo at home, just like artists Bruce Springsteen and Billie Eilish. But 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. 

You can also pursue a record deal. Record labels can cover production costs, but you may have to give up creative control in return. Always read the fine print in any agreement to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. 

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 will handle licensing. If not, you can join a performing rights organization like Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) or the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), to collect and distribute your royalties.*

Music streaming

Uploading your tracks to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music is another option to make money from music. 

While streaming royalties are low, often less than a penny, they can add up over time. Data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shows that music streaming made up 82% 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. The distributor will charge a fee or a commission, but will also pay your royalties whenever your songs are streamed. Spotify has a list of recommended distributors.

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 Bandcamp. Bandcamp is free to set up, and you’ll keep 85% of your digital sales until you make $5,000, then you’ll keep 90%. 

You can also release music on your own ecommerce website. Platforms like Shopify allow you to sell digital downloads, physical albums, and merch, all in one place.

Physical recordings

Despite streaming’s popularity, some consumers still crave a physical connection with their music. RIAA reports that consumers spent $1.38 billion on physical recordings in 2025, with around three-quarters of that spent on vinyl.

Producing physical recordings opens the door to selling physical formats both on your ecommerce site and at live shows. You can sell in-person with a point-of-sale system like Shopify POS, which syncs online and offline orders and inventory. 

You can burn CDs on your own, but you’ll probably need to outsource the vinyl production process to a record pressing plant like Hellbender Vinyl.

Live gigs

The money you can make from performing your original music live varies. Local gigs might net less than $100 per player, while national touring bands can make tens of thousands of dollars per night.

A manager can help you book local shows. If you don’t have a manager yet, you can focus on networking with other musicians and bookers.

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. 

Major stock music libraries like APM Music typically work directly with record labels, not composers. If this is your goal, you might focus on getting signed with a record label that can make this happen for you. Or, you can research smaller music libraries that accept artist submissions in your niche.

You can also sell tracks like 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.

Music scoring for film and TV

Film scoring is the art of composing music for movies or TV shows.

It’s common for some productions to create their scores using MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), which involves virtual orchestras and bands using instrument samples rather than live players. However, many bigger-budget movies still record with a live orchestra or real instruments.

Some 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.

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.” 

In addition to selling merch at live shows, you can build an ecommerce store to sell band merch directly to fans year-round.

“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, cofounder of record label Bonsound, on 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.” 

To get started with merch, you can use free graphic design software to create visuals for t-shirts, stickers, or other items, or you can hire a freelance designer from platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

Then, connect your online store to a print-on-demand (POD) app. POD services make and ship your merch to order, so there are no upfront costs.

How to make money as a musician for hire

• Session work
• Songwriting for hire
• Live performances
• DJing

You don’t have to perform your own original songs to have a sustainable music career. There are ways to make money as a musician for hire:

Session work

If you’re skilled with your instrument, you can play on other artists’ studio recordings or record music for television and movie scores. Session work requires mastery of your instrument, including sight-reading and improvisation.

In the US, some of these jobs are protected by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) labor union, and you’ll need to become a member of your local chapter before you can land a union gig. The AFM publishes a rate sheet you can use to understand how much you can expect to get paid for different types of projects.

To break into session work, start by networking with other musicians and music producers. 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.

Songwriting for hire

Some artists will hire professional songwriters instead of writing their own songs. To pursue work as a songwriter, you can write independently or sign to a music publisher that can connect you with bigger acts.

Open mics and writing workshops can help you enter publishers’ orbits. You can then pitch yourself with polished demos of your songs. If you’re not a singer, you can hire someone who can bring your songs to life.

You can also co-write with a signed songwriter. To find opportunities, network and upload your body of work online. Build a portfolio site and grow your social media presence to highlight your talent. 

Live performances

There’s money to be made performing live, such as by touring with an original artist or playing covers at events. Musicians and singers had a mean pay of $60.46 per hour in 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you’re willing to travel, touring can pay well. While landing a tour gig can involve competitive auditions, touring artists can 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. Some 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. 

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 developing your own mixes, learn to use music creation 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 confirm this with the venue before you perform). 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, there are plenty of ways to turn your passion into an ecommerce business. 

Opening a record store

Vinyl sales have been growing over the last 19 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 record shop on Shopify takes just a few clicks. Pre-made templates and a drag-and-drop editor let you build a site without coding knowledge. You can also use Shopify’s AI site builder to create an online store in minutes. 

Starting a music supply shop

If you know music gear inside and out, consider setting up a music shop.

Tailoring your products 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 source your products from manufacturers or wholesalers to store your inventory yourself, or use a dropshipping model to handle storage and shipping.

Other ways to make money from music

• Teaching music lessons
• Content creation
• Producing
• Music therapy

If performing or selling records isn’t your thing, there are other options for how to make money from music:

Teaching music lessons

Offer lessons in-person or online through platforms like Udemy, Google Classroom, and Patreon. Market yourself with a website highlighting your skills and expertise. Shopify can integrate with appointment booking apps, which can help you organize 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, and can help add a passive revenue stream to your income.

Content creation

Playing or talking about playing music online can attract dedicated fans. Pop artist Conan Gray, for example, built a fanbase posting vlogs and songs on YouTube. 

Music creators can 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 gives you access to premium creator tools.

You can also set up an ecommerce site to sell your own products and merch. You can connect your Shopify store with sites like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram and sell to customers there.

Another way to monetize your content is with subscriptions. You’ll set your monthly subscription price, then incentivize sign-ups with exclusive content. Subscriber content examples are behind-the-scenes vlogs, detailed music lessons that include tabs or sheet music, or interviews with fellow musicians.

Some social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, have built-in subscription features. You can also use a membership app like Bold in combination with a digital downloads app to add this functionality to your Shopify store.

Producing

Just like you can write songs or play instruments for other artists, you can also produce their music. Producing means overseeing the recording process, adding sounds and effects, editing, and shaping the final sound. Producers can work for a flat fee or negotiate a share of royalties for a song. 

To get started with music producing, start by partnering with local musicians (social media is one way to connect). Upload your work on your profiles, and reach out to artists looking for music producers. 

Producers also compose original music, including bass lines, beats, and instrumental hooks. At the highest level, they even help artists co-write their songs.

Music therapy

Music therapists use activities like singing, playing instruments, listening to music, and songwriting to treat their clients. Music therapy can help 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. 

Some states require a license to practice music therapy. To become a licensed music therapist, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy, earn 1,200 clinical hours, 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.