Tracks, calculates and audits the royalties owed to songwriters, artists and rights holders at labels, publishers and collecting societies. BLS does not publish separate figures for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks; it counts them within bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk (SOC 43-3031), whose median pay is $50,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 43-3031
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Royalty Analyst in four numbers
- Median pay
- $50,670a year, or $24.36/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $75K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.6%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 144,1001,532,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.5M
- Projected 20351.4M
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.5M Projected 2035 1.4M - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school6.4%
- High school40.9%
- Certificate20.8%
- Associate's8.5%
- Bachelor's12.2%
- Master's6.5%
Highest education held by bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Segment Value Less than high school 6.4% High school 40.9% Certificate 20.8% Associate's 8.5% Bachelor's 12.2% Master's 6.5%
Also advertised as: Royalty Coordinator, Royalty Accountant, Royalty Administrator, Music Royalty Specialist.
Pay
How much do Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks make?
Every royalty analyst in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$50,670
Middle half earn $43,520 to $61,470
- 10th
- $36,000
- 25th
- $43,520
- 75th
- $61,470
- 90th
- $74,550
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,000 |
| 25th | $43,520 |
| Median | $50,670 |
| 75th | $61,470 |
| 90th | $74,550 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $50,670
- Median hourly wage
- $24.36/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $53,560
- People employed
- 1,373,680
Versus all US occupations
At $50,670, the median for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $74,550 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,000, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 23% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $65,180, and still leads at $59,308 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $65,180 | $59,308 | 1,790 |
| 2Connecticut | $59,970 | $57,881 | 14,930 |
| 3Massachusetts | $59,830 | $56,573 | 29,110 |
| 4California | $59,230 | $53,495 | 151,870 |
| 5Washington | $58,620 | $54,778 | 32,930 |
| 6New Jersey | $58,300 | $53,582 | 37,550 |
| 7New York | $58,160 | $53,891 | 84,280 |
| 8Alaska | $56,430 | $55,129 | 4,580 |
| 9Vermont | $54,720 | $55,861 | 2,950 |
| 10Minnesota | $54,600 | $55,363 | 26,850 |
Job outlook
Is Royalty Analyst a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | −5.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks to change -5.6% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 85,600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 144,100 openings are projected each year, 9.4% of the 1,532,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Royalty Analyst
Most employers want a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or business, and Berklee describes royalty coordinator as an entry-level role that benefits from an internship in the music industry. Strong spreadsheet and database skills are essential, and SQL is increasingly useful.
A working knowledge of music copyright, including the difference between composition and sound recording rights and the changes brought by the Music Modernization Act, sets candidates apart. Many people start in royalty operations or copyright administration and move into licensing, business affairs or finance roles later.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some 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 bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)40.9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20.8%
- Bachelor's Degree12.2%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8.5%
- Master's Degree6.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 40.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12.2% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 8.5% |
| Master's Degree | 6.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Royalty Analyst do?
Every stream, radio spin, sync placement and record sale generates money that has to reach the right songwriters, artists and publishers. Royalty analysts make that happen. They process usage data from streaming services and performing rights organizations, match it to the right songs and contracts, and calculate what each party is owed.
The work includes checking incoming statements for errors, applying contract terms such as royalty rates, splits and advances, and preparing statements for artists and writers. Analysts also research unmatched income, answer questions from managers and lawyers, and support audits. They work at record labels, music publishers, distributors and organizations such as The MLC.
Day-to-day tasks
- Process royalty statements from streaming services and collecting societies
- Match usage data to songs, recordings and contracts
- Calculate royalties using contract rates, splits and advances
- Prepare royalty statements for artists, writers and publishers
- Investigate unmatched or disputed royalty income
- Maintain song and contract data in royalty systems
- Support internal and external royalty audits
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Royalty analysts work in offices or remotely, mostly in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. The work is detailed and deadline driven around quarterly and semiannual statement periods. Hours are generally regular. Most of the day is spent in spreadsheets, royalty software and email with partners.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors 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
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
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
- Mathematics3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Active Listening3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Writing3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Learning2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Service Orientation2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8
- Persuasion2.3
- Negotiation2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.8 |
| Persuasion | 2.3 |
| Negotiation | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“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 a Royalty Analyst?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code CIE) built on O*NET's Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Royalty Analyst |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional7.0
- Enterprising3.8
- Investigative3.5
- Realistic1.6
- Social1.5
- Artistic1.0
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 Royalty Analyst
O*NET related occupations
- Office and Administrative Support
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk
$50,670median a year
Most earn $36K to $75K
−5.6%Some college - Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Royalty Analyst$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Teller$43,030
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Royalty Analyst | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Royalty Analyst appears on
Questions
Royalty Analyst: frequently asked questions
How much do Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks. It counts them within bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk, whose median pay is $50,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $43,520 and $61,470, and the top 10% earn $74,550 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Royalty Analyst?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 40.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Royalty Analyst a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.6% over 2025–2035, a loss of 85,600 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 144,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Royalty Analyst do?
Every stream, radio spin, sync placement and record sale generates money that has to reach the right songwriters, artists and publishers. A typical task: process royalty statements from streaming services and collecting societies. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks the most?
The highest state medians for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks are District of Columbia ($65,180), Connecticut ($59,970), Massachusetts ($59,830) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Royalty Analyst?
O*NET scores Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.