Musicat Berklee College of Music
Graduates earn $18,177/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $462K; scenarios range from $435K to $459K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Berklee College of Music
The earnings data for Berklee's music program reflects the highly competitive and often non-traditional career paths prevalent in the music industry. Unlike fields with clear corporate ladders, many graduates forge entrepreneurial careers as performers, composers, sound engineers, or educators, often building diverse income streams over time. The initial years post-graduation frequently involve hustling to establish a professional network and reputation in vibrant music scenes like Boston's, which doesn't always translate to high immediate salaries. While Berklee offers unparalleled artistic and technical development, the market for musicians, even highly trained ones, is fragmented. You're entering a field where passion drives many, and financial rewards accrue differently. To maximize your financial outlook, proactively develop strong business acumen, marketing skills, and a willingness to diversify income streams from day one.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Berklee College of Music's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Music
How Berklee College of Music stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Berklee College of Music
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Berklee College of Music, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Music offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Music at Berklee College of Music
What does a 15/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at Berklee College of Music?
At 15/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Music degree from Berklee College of Music?
At $23,392 in median debt, graduates carry 15 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Music at Berklee College of Music?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Berklee College of Music a good choice for Music despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Berklee College of Music's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.