Music Production Pricing Guide and Formula
The average cost for professional mixing and mastering services varies from $150 to $700 per song to receive a good quality product. When working with top producers, the pricing can cost thousands of dollars. However, you can still obtain a radio-worthy product with a $200 per song budget.
Setting Your Music Production Charge
Figuring out how much you should charge for music production can be difficult for someone that hasn’t had much experience in the music business. My basic formula for my music production charge is: Production Charge = Price of Instrumental + Studio Time Fee + Mixing and Mastering Fee. As an average, set your music production charge at around $350 – $500 if you’re a newbie and then increase this charge as your brand, reputation and clientele grows.
Factors Affecting Pricing
- Top 3 factors that impact charges: complexity of project, your experience/reputation, client’s budget.
- Communicate openly with clients for fair, mutually beneficial agreement.
Average Music Producer Income and Rates
On average, a music producer in the US makes $52,966/year according to Glassdoor.com. Location impacts rates.
Charging per hour is common, with rates varying from $25 to $100 per hour. Consider time commitment and value you bring when determining a flat fee.
Producer Fees and Royalties
The record royalty to the music producer is usually between 3% and 4% of the record’s sales price, or 20% to 25% of the artist’s royalties. Producers typically get 3-5% (20-25% of artist’s share).
Music Production Charges and Income
How much should I pay a music producer? a beginner to intermediate producer should charge between $200 and $900 dollars per song plus 20% of the artist royalties.
Earning Potential for Producers
While income potential varies based on skills and experience, big chops can earn producers five or even six digits per track.