Making money in the music industry isn’t always as simple as negotiating a salary and waiting for your paycheck to come in. The pay structure of many music industry jobs is based on percentages do recording artist make a lot of money from royalties one-off deals and freelance-style work, but different music industry careers are paid in different ways. For this reason, the music career you choose will have a big impact on how you make money in the music business. Here, you’ll find a look at how several common music industry jobs are paid—but remember, as always, that this information is general, and the deal you agree to will dictate your circumstances. There are lots of different ways to make money in the music business, and many of them come down to percentages and contracts. For this reason, everyone needs to be on the same page about how payments will take place. Also, you should always get it in writing. Music Careers Industry Basics. By Heather McDonald.