Music Agents and Scouts

Earnings for agents vary greatly, depending on the success of the agent and his or her clients. An agency receives 10 to 20 percent of a client's fee for a project. An agent is then paid a commission by the agency as well as a base salary. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes earned median salaries of $66,040 in May 2018. Salaries for the lowest paid 10 percent were less than $33,440 and the top paid 10 percent earned more than $187,600. Music agents with more experience and who are employed by top agencies earn much higher salaries.