Oakland Music Jobs Overview
When you think of a career in the music industry, you might start with the musicians and performers who rock out on stage. However, when you pull back the curtains, you'll discover creative professionals with a range of music jobs working behind the scenes. Whether you dream of becoming a composer, singer, songwriter, record producer, or sound engineer, there are plenty of job prospects to suit your talents and vocational goals.
While singers and musicians have the most visible jobs in the industry, you might prefer to work in areas such as production, design, education, marketing, or public relations. If you're not sure what field you're interested in, here are some music careers to consider:
- Music producer – oversees all aspects of the creative process and makes sure the piece meets the vision of the artist and the record label.
- Audio engineer - organizes recording studio sessions, captures the sound, and edits using industry-standard software and equipment.
- Music publicist – works closely with marketers, media outlets, and venues to manage a musician's public image and raise earning potential.
- Tour manager – responsible for transportation, scheduling, accommodation, and finances of a musician’s tour.
- Music teacher – works with clients to teach theory and/or a specific instrument.
You can expand your search for entertainment jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Oakland, California
If you're considering applying for Oakland jobs, three things you might hear about when you move here are sea monsters, gnomes, and secret staircases. The Oak-ness Monster in Lake Merritt, the only natural saltwater lake located in a city, has remained elusive since its first spotting in the 1940s. Oakland's gnomes are a little easier to find. An anonymous resident has painted and hidden thousands of gnomes all over the city since 2012. While you're looking for a gnome, you might stumble across a secret staircase. Hundreds of shortcut staircases were built a century ago to help streetcar and bus passengers commute from their Oakland jobs to their neighborhoods without having to walk along the city's winding roads.
If you're not in the mood for a scavenger hunt, you can spend a day exploring the banks of Lake Merritt, which includes miles of walking paths, greenspace, and a wildlife refuge. Or you could spend one of Oakland's 260 sunny days a year hiking in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park just outside downtown Oakland. Ready to explore the Oakland area? You can also try expanding your job search to the suburbs of San Leandro, Alameda, and Berkeley.
Update Your Oakland Music Resume
As a creative professional, you should know that resume presentation takes center stage and will help you stand out in a crowd of candidates. While design is key, remember that your resume must be easy to read with well-organized content showcasing your skills and education. Need some more inspiration? Check out our library of resume samples to get you started.
If you really want to put your resume in the limelight, don't forget to attach a compelling cover letter when you apply. Add in that extra sparkle by using attention-grabbing tactics such as a catchy slogan, testimonials, and a clear mission statement. For more help, refer to our library of cover letter tips and advice articles.
How Much Do Music Jobs Pay in Oakland, California?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in music jobs in Oakland, California, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median music director pay in Oakland is $56,383 per year, which is 6% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Oakland Music Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in music? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those music jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Oakland, how to nail your job interview, and more.