Music Industry Careers: Jobs in Music Retail Stores
Have you ever visited your local music store? You may remember seeing a variety of musical instruments for sale, printed music, equipment and accessories. The store may also offer music lessons, instrument or equipment rentals, repairs, or hands-on demonstrations of the latest musical instruments. These stores are often a bright spot in their communities — music hubs and gathering places for musicians and music enthusiasts.
It takes a variety of people and processes to make a music store successful. If that’s interesting to you, explore the list of job titles below to learn the types of roles that exist in a traditional music instrument retail store.
Music Store General Manager
Responsibilities: Oversees the operations for the music store, including hiring, managing, coaching and motivating staff, setting and meeting customer service, recruitment, sales and performance targets and ensuring the store runs smoothly.
Key Skills: Leadership, clear communication with employees and customers, problem solving, broad product knowledge, financial management, strategic planning to ensure the store’s financial success
Average Annual Salary Range: $45,000–$80,000*
Sales Associate
Responsibilities: Assists customers in selecting musical instruments and accessories, provides product knowledge and recommendations, handles sales transactions, maintains a clean and organized store environment, reaches sales targets.
Key Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, salesmanship, product knowledge, technical skills, teamwork, communication, customer service
Average Annual Salary Range: $25,000–$37,000*
Cashier/Point of Sales Representative
Responsibilities: Customer service, handles cash, credit and debit transactions, provides receipts and handles returns/exchanges, maintains an accurate cash drawer, assists with basic customer inquiries.
Key Skills: Numerical proficiency, attention to detail, customer service, product knowledge, communication, teamwork, integrity
Average Annual Salary Range: $27,000–$35,000*
Inventory Manager
Responsibilities: Oversees inventory levels and stock management, orders new stock and tracks shipments, organizes and manages storage areas, conducts regular inventory audits, works with suppliers and vendors.
Key Skills: Organizational skills, attention to detail, inventory management software proficiency, analytical skills, time management, teamwork, integrity
Average Annual Salary Range: $35,000–$50,000*
Instrument Repair Technician
Responsibilities: Diagnoses and repairs musical instruments, performs maintenance and setup services, provides repair estimates to customers, maintains a clean and organized workshop, keeps detailed records of repairs.
Key Skills: Technical skills in instrument repair, attention to detail, problem-solving, customer service, time management, self-starter
Average Annual Salary Range: $35,000–$50,000*
Instrument Specialist
Responsibilities: Provides expert advice on specific instrument types, assists customers with selection and purchase, offers demonstrations and play tests, educates customers on instrument care and maintenance, stays updated on industry trends and new products.
Key Skills: In-depth knowledge of a range of instruments, customer service, communication, sales and technical skills, teaching abilities
Average Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$45,000*
Print Music Specialist
Responsibilities: Manages the print music section of the store, assists customers in finding sheet music and books, orders and organizes print music inventory, provides recommendations based on customer needs and skill levels, stays updated on new releases and popular titles.
Key Skills: Knowledge of music and sheet music including different genres, styles, arrangements and pedagogical methodology, organizational skills, customer service, communication, attention to detail
Average Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$40,000*
Customer Service Representative
Responsibilities: Addresses customer inquiries and complaints, provides information about products, sales and services, assists with returns and exchanges, ensures customer satisfaction, maintains customer records.
Key Skills: Communication, problem-solving, customer service, patience, product knowledge, creative thinker, interpersonal skills
Average Annual Salary Range: $25,000–$35,000*
Music Instructor
Responsibilities: Teaches music lessons for beginner to advanced students, develops lesson plans and curriculum, provides feedback and assessments, prepares students for performances or exams, communicates with students regularly regarding schedule of lessons, etc. Can be asked to support the sales team, demonstrating specific instruments and accessories during lessons.
Key Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, musical and teaching proficiency, patience, communication, organizational, motivation and sales skills
Average Annual Salary Range: $35,000–$50,000*
Marketing Manager
Responsibilities: Develops and implements marketing strategies to increase traffic, sales and store brand awareness, manages social media and online presence, creates promotional materials and campaigns, analyzes market trends and customer feedback, coordinates events and promotions.
Key Skills: Marketing knowledge, project management, creativity, communication, analytical skills, consistency, social media proficiency
Average Annual Salary Range: $55,000–$95,000*
Online Sales Specialist
Responsibilities: Manages the online sales platform, processes online orders and handles customer inquiries, identifies and attracts new customers with various online campaigns, develops and maintains relationships with customers to encourage repeat business, updates product listings and descriptions, tracks and analyzes online sales performance, coordinates with the shipping department.
Key Skills: E-commerce and CRM platform proficiency, customer service, sales, collaboration, creativity, attention to detail, communication, analytical skills
Average Annual Salary Range: $40,000–$60,000*
Visual Merchandiser
Responsibilities: Designs and implements store window and sales floor displays, ensures products are attractively presented, updates displays based on sales data, target market, and general trends, collaborates with marketing and sales teams, maintains a clean and organized store layout.
Key Skills: Visual design, design tool proficiency (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator), attention to detail, merchandising proficiency, organizational skills, communication
Average Annual Salary Range: $35,000–$58,000*
Shipping and Receiving Manager
Responsibilities: Oversees the efficiency and safety of the shipping and receiving team, coordinates incoming and outgoing shipments, working closely with store manager and inventory manager, verifies and records shipment details, handles packing and labeling of products, maintains shipping and receiving logs.
Key Skills: Organizational and leadership skills, knowledge of freight operations, international import-export knowledge, attention to detail, problem solving, creative, physical stamina, time management, basic computer skills
Average Annual Salary Range: $59,000–$74,000*
Lesson Coordinator
Responsibilities: Schedules and organizes music lessons, recruits, hires and manages instructors, handles lesson bookings and cancellations, maintains constant communication with teachers and students, maintains lesson records and payments, promotes lesson programs and coordinates performances, recitals and student-focused events.
Key Skills: Knowledge of basic music theory and pedagogy, leadership, organizational skills, communication, customer service, scheduling, administrative skills
Average Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$45,000*
Check Out the Careers in Music Series on Playback Blog
Music Industry Careers: Jobs in Music Products Manufacturing
*Data Sources: ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Indeed, Velvet Jobs, Glassdoor, PayScale, Music Week, Music Business Worldwide, Upwork, LinkedIn, Recruit Resources, Career Trends and Zippia
Average annual salary ranges are accurate as of June 2024. Salaries vary and may be higher according to demand, cost of living and specialized skills.
About the Author
Eric Ebel is a senior program manager at NAMM for The NAMM Foundation. He manages market development and NAMM Foundation programs, including Consider a Career in Music, music educator and advocacy programming. He joined NAMM in 1997 and has held various roles, including show manager and senior trade show sales associate. With over 40 years in the music industry, Ebel has been a U.S. Marine Corps musician, product specialist, touring musician and faculty member at Musician’s Institute. He also performs regularly in Southern California.