Finds promising artists and songwriters for a record label or music publisher, helps sign them, and guides their recordings toward release. BLS does not publish separate figures for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes; it counts them within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes (SOC 13-1011), whose median pay is $82,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 13-1011
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
A&R Representative in four numbers
- Median pay
- $82,890a year, or $39.85/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $285K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.7%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,40026,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202526.9K
- Projected 203529.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 26.9K Projected 2035 29.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school1.3%
- High school38%
- Some college2.6%
- Bachelor's41.3%
- Master's16.8%
Highest education held by agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes Segment Value Less than high school 1.3% High school 38% Some college 2.6% Bachelor's 41.3% Master's 16.8%
Also advertised as: A&R Coordinator, A&R Scout, A&R Manager, Artists and Repertoire Representative, Talent Scout.
Pay
How much do Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes make?
Every a&r representative in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$82,890
Middle half earn $63,670 to $146,430
- 10th
- $48,010
- 25th
- $63,670
- 75th
- $146,430
- 90th
- $284,570
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,010 |
| 25th | $63,670 |
| Median | $82,890 |
| 75th | $146,430 |
| 90th | $284,570 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $82,890
- Median hourly wage
- $39.85/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $141,580
- People employed
- 12,620
Versus all US occupations
At $82,890, Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn 63% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $31,910 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $284,570 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,010, a gap of 5.9×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 63% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Florida pays the most at $98,200, and still leads at $94,958 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Florida | $98,200 | $94,958 | 870 |
| 2California | $98,110 | $88,611 | 4,860 |
| 3Colorado | $95,530 | $92,701 | 80 |
| 4Texas | $82,920 | $85,434 | 320 |
| 5Michigan | $82,440 | $85,681 | N/A |
| 6New Hampshire | $81,690 | $78,424 | 40 |
| 7Connecticut | $81,470 | $78,631 | 170 |
| 8New Jersey | $81,190 | $74,620 | 170 |
| 9New York | $79,620 | $73,776 | 2,660 |
| 10Arkansas | $78,560 | $90,364 | 30 |
Job outlook
Is A&R Representative a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | +9.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes to change 9.7% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.8× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,400 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 26,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an A&R Representative
No credential is required, but a degree in music business or management is common, and Berklee lists A&R among the most competitive jobs in the record industry. What matters most is taste, a track record of spotting talent early, and relationships with managers, producers and lawyers.
Most reps get here from another part of the business, such as management, production, marketing, radio promotion or an internship. Many start as A&R coordinators handling paperwork, session logistics and royalty splits before they are trusted to sign artists. Running a showcase, a playlist or a small label on the side is a common way to prove an ear.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes.
- Bachelor's Degree41.3%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
- Master's Degree16.8%
- Some College Courses2.6%
- Less than a High School Diploma1.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 41.3% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 38% |
| Master's Degree | 16.8% |
| Some College Courses | 2.6% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an A&R Representative do?
A&R stands for artists and repertoire. A&R representatives spend much of their time listening: streaming playlists, scrolling social media, reading blogs and going to club shows to find artists before anyone else does. When they find someone, they build a case to their label or publisher and help negotiate a deal.
After the signing, A&R stays involved with the music. Reps match artists with producers and co-writers, sit in on sessions, give feedback on demos, help choose singles and manage recording budgets. At small labels one person may handle the whole relationship, while at major labels junior reps scout and A&R managers and directors oversee projects.
Day-to-day tasks
- Scout new artists through streaming data, social media and live shows
- Present potential signings to label or publishing leadership
- Help negotiate recording or publishing deal terms with managers and lawyers
- Pair artists with producers, songwriters and mixing engineers
- Attend recording sessions and give creative feedback on demos
- Manage recording budgets and delivery schedules
- Help select singles and coordinate with marketing teams before release
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Daytime work happens at label or publisher offices, mostly in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Atlanta, plus recording studios. Evenings and weekends go to live shows and showcases, sometimes in other cities and at festivals. Hours are irregular and the job blurs into social life.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.6
- Active Learning3.5
- Monitoring2.9
- Learning Strategies2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Persuasion4.0
- Negotiation4.0
- Social Perceptiveness3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Time Management3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Persuasion | 4.0 |
| Negotiation | 4.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an A&R Representative?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code EAS) built on O*NET's Agent and Business Manager of Artists, Performers, and Athletes profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | A&R Representative |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 6 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Enterprising6.5
- Social4.5
- Artistic4.3
- Conventional3.7
- Investigative1.8
- Realistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to A&R Representative
O*NET related occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
Agent and Business Manager of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
$82,890median a year
Most earn $48K to $285K
+9.7%Bachelor's - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Sales and Related
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Management
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Accountant$83,680
- A&R Representative$82,890
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| A&R Representative | $82,890 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists A&R Representative appears on
Questions
A&R Representative: frequently asked questions
How much do Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes. It counts them within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes, whose median pay is $82,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $63,670 and $146,430, and the top 10% earn $284,570 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an A&R Representative?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 41.3% hold bachelor's degree.
Is A&R Representative a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.7% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an A&R Representative do?
A&R stands for artists and repertoire. A typical task: scout new artists through streaming data, social media and live shows. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Electronic mail software, Graphics or photo imaging software.
Which states pay Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes the most?
The highest state medians for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes are Florida ($98,200), California ($98,110), Colorado ($95,530) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an A&R Representative?
O*NET scores Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes highest on the Enterprising, Social and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ENFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.