The life of a composer is often romanticised, but the financial reality is far more complex than most people realise.
As a full-time composer with nearly 20 years of experience, I've learned that success in this industry isn't just about creating beautiful music—it's about mastering the art of financial management in an inherently unpredictable field.
The Feast and Famine Reality
Almost all composers are freelancers, getting paid per job in ways that can vary dramatically. Some projects pay upfront, others through royalties, and unfortunately, some never pay at all.
The amounts can range from pennies to hundreds of thousands of pounds, creating what feels like a financial lottery system.
In my best year, I earned hundreds of thousands. But here's the crucial part: I didn't rush out to buy a house or splurge on luxury items.
Instead, I put it aside, thinking, "That's the next three years of mortgage payments sorted for when I don't get paid again."
This mindset shift from immediate gratification to long-term security is essential for any composer wanting longevity in their career.
Understanding Your Revenue Streams
1. Royalties
These come through performing rights organisations like PRS, paying quarterly for performances of your music on television worldwide.
The payments are unpredictable—sometimes hundreds, sometimes tens of thousands. It's a numbers game that requires consistently putting out music to maintain sustainable payouts.
2. Sync Fees
When someone synchronises your music to moving images—advertising campaigns, movie trailers, TV promos—you earn sync fees. These can be incredibly lucrative but are highly competitive and unpredictable.
My largest sync fee was £40,000 (my 50% share of an £80,000 worldwide advertising campaign), but I've only had three payments close to that level in nearly two decades.
3. Custom Work
This is when you're paid for your time—composing custom music for films, documentaries, or TV shows.
You receive an upfront fee that isn't recouped against future royalties, plus you'll continue earning from those royalties separately. These opportunities are competitive but provide the security of guaranteed payment for your work.
I started out doing custom work for corporate film. It wasn't very exciting, but it was very nice to be paid for my time.
The Power of the Percentage System
The key to surviving and thriving as a composer lies in what I call the "percentage system," inspired by the book Profit First (affiliate link).
Every time money comes in—whether it's £100 or £10,000—I immediately split it into predetermined percentages:
- Tax (set aside immediately)
- Operating expenses (sample libraries, equipment, subscriptions)
- Personal income (what you actually get to spend)
- Emergency fund (your safety net)
- Charitable donations/tithing (if applicable)
This means that a £10,000 payment might only give you £2,000 in actual spending money, but you're building a foundation for long-term sustainability.
Building Your Financial Safety Net
The goal isn't to live feast or famine—it's to create moderation and security through smart money management. Think of it like collecting water when the tide comes in, so when it goes out, you still have full reserves.
Some months you'll earn nothing. Other months you might work solely on production music without immediate payment, building what's called "the composer's pension"—long-term royalty streams.
The key is having those financial pots ready to support you through the lean periods.
Diversification is Key
Successful composers typically blend multiple revenue streams:
- Production music for consistent royalties
- Custom scoring work for upfront payments
- Advertising and trailer music work for sync fees
- Education and content creation
Each stream has different payment timings and amounts, but together they create a more stable overall income.
The Investment Mindset
When you do get paid, resist the urge to splurge on cars or luxury items.
Instead, reinvest in your business: new sample libraries that might land your next placement, upgraded equipment, or building your emergency fund.
Every purchase should serve your future creative and financial success.
Beyond the Music
Remember that worrying about finances while trying to be creative is counterproductive.
By setting up these systems and building your safety nets, you free your mind to focus on what you do best—creating music.
The reality of a composer's income isn't about getting lucky with one massive placement every few years.
It's about building sustainable systems that support your creativity and provide security regardless of the industry's inherent unpredictability.
This advice comes from personal experience and isn't meant as formal financial guidance. Every composer's situation is unique, so consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalised advice.
