Career as a Music Composer in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Music Production & Audio EngineeringVideo Games & Interactive Entertainment

Updated

At a glance

A music composer creates original music for films, ads, OTT series and games, often producing it in a home studio. Most build skills through music training and a portfolio of work.

A music composer creates original music for films, advertisements, web series, video games and other media. Many composers start by making music at home on a laptop and then build a portfolio of tracks that clients can hear.

In India, the work spans Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and other regional film industries, along with advertising agencies, OTT platforms and game studios. Income is often project-based, so early years can be uneven, while established composers earn larger fees and royalties.

This page explains what the job involves, the degree and course routes, expected pay ranges, key skills and the realistic outlook. Salary figures are typical ranges that change with the market, so use them as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Minimum Qualification
Class 12 pass (any stream); music training helps
Typical Degree
B.Mus or BA in Music (3 years)
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹2 - ₹5 Lakh/annum, often project-based
Entry-level to Senior
₹2 - ₹5 Lakh to ₹20 Lakh+/annum
Job Demand Growth
Growing with OTT, ads and gaming; no official figure
Work Hours
Irregular; deadline-driven, often long studio sessions
Places of Work
Home studios, recording studios, film units, ad agencies

What Does a Music Composer Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Discuss the brief with directors, producers, brand teams or game designers to understand mood, timing and budget.

  • Write melodies, chord progressions and themes, often on a keyboard or in digital audio workstation software.

  • Arrange and orchestrate the music for instruments or virtual instrument libraries.

  • Record or programme musicians and vocalists, then mix the tracks with a sound engineer.

  • Revise compositions after feedback from clients, often through several rounds before final delivery.

  • Meet tight deadlines tied to shoot schedules, ad launches or game releases.

  • Manage contracts, licensing and royalty statements for the music you create.

Where They Work

Composers in India work across the film industries of Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and other regional centres, scoring films and songs for studios and production houses. Many also work for OTT platforms and web series producers, advertising agencies, television channels, game studios, music labels and corporate or brand audio teams.

A large share of composers are freelancers who work from home studios and take projects through agents, networks and direct client referrals. Some join studios or production houses as in-house or assistant composers before taking on their own projects.

How to Become a Music Composer in India?

After Class 10

Start learning an instrument or your voice and basic music theory. Regular practice and listening across genres build the ear that composition needs.

After Class 12

Choose a bachelor's programme in music such as a B.Mus or BA in Music, or a music production diploma. Some programmes ask you to clear an audition or practical test.

Undergraduate

Learn composition, harmony, orchestration and recording, and start using digital audio workstation software. Build a portfolio of short pieces, jingles and arrangements.

Postgraduate and Specialisation (optional)

Take an M.Mus or a specialised course in film scoring, sound design or music technology if you want to work in films, games or advertising.

Certification and Tools

Short certificates in music production software, film scoring or game audio can add practical skills. There is no mandatory licence for this career, so your portfolio carries the most weight.

First Job

Assist an established composer or music producer, take on small ad jingles, web series or independent projects, and build a showreel to pitch for larger work.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in any stream is accepted for most bachelor's programmes in music, and Arts or Humanities is a common fit.

  • Many music degrees ask for an audition or a practical test in singing or an instrument, alongside a written test.

  • Music production and sound courses often accept students from science or commerce streams who have a strong interest in audio.

  • Typical minimum marks in Class 12 are often around 40 to 50 per cent for general admission, but this varies by institution.

Minimum Qualification

  • Class 12 pass for undergraduate music and music production programmes

  • Bachelor's degree for postgraduate music programmes

  • No single mandatory qualification for composition work; a strong portfolio and client work matter most when hiring

Courses and Degrees for Music Composer

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Bachelor of Music (B.Mus) (3 years)
    • BA in Music (3 years)
    • B.Mus in Music Production or Sound Engineering, where offered (3 years)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • Master of Music (M.Mus) (2 years)
    • MA in Music (2 years)
    • Postgraduate programme in Film Scoring or Music Technology (1 to 2 years)
    Diplomas
    • Diploma in Music Production (1 year)
    • Diploma in Sound Design or Audio Post-Production (1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Digital audio workstation certification (a few weeks to 3 months)
    • Film scoring and orchestration workshop (1 to 3 months)
    • Online course in game audio or sound design (1 to 3 months)

Entrance Exams for Music Composer

  • Exam
    CUET UG
    Level
    National, Undergraduate
    Held
    Once a year
    For Course
    Undergraduate music and performing arts programmes at participating central universities
  • Exam
    Institutional Music Aptitude Test
    Level
    Institutional, Undergraduate and Postgraduate
    Held
    Varies by institution
    For Course
    Bachelor's and master's music programmes (audition and written test)
  • Exam
    FTII Entrance Test (Pune)
    Level
    Institutional, Undergraduate and Postgraduate
    Held
    Once a year (typically)
    For Course
    Film and media courses with sound and music modules

Top Colleges for Music Composer

Government Institutes

  • College
    Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University
    Location
    Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
  • College
    Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya
    Location
    Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh
  • College
    Faculty of Performing Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
    Location
    Vadodara, Gujarat
  • College
    Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra
  • College
    Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI)
    Location
    Kolkata, West Bengal

Private Institutes

  • College
    Whistling Woods International
    Location
    Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • College
    Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi

Skills Required to Become a Music Composer

Technical Skills

  • Music theory and harmony
  • Composition and arrangement
  • Digital audio workstation software (such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase or Ableton Live)
  • Virtual instruments and sample libraries
  • Mixing and mastering basics
  • Orchestration and notation software
  • Proficiency on a keyboard or instrument

Soft Skills

  • Creativity and originality
  • Listening and taking feedback
  • Time management under deadlines
  • Communicating with directors and clients
  • Self-promotion and networking
  • Patience through long revision rounds

Music Composer Salary in India

0 to 2 years

Entry Level

₹2 - ₹5 Lakh/annum (often project-based; approximate)

  • Typical job titles: Assistant Composer, Music Assistant, Jingle Composer, Freelance Composer
  • Work at this level: writing jingles, background scores for short films and ads, and programming or arranging for senior composers

3 to 7 years

Mid Level

₹6 - ₹15 Lakh/annum (approximate; fees vary by project)

  • Typical job titles: Music Composer, Film Composer, Ad Music Director, Game Audio Composer
  • Work at this level: composing full scores for films, series or games, managing small teams and negotiating fees

8 years and above

Senior Level

₹20 Lakh/annum and above (approximate); top film composers earn far more

  • Typical job titles: Senior Music Director, Lead Film Composer, Creative Director (Music)
  • Work at this level: scoring major films and series, setting fees and royalty terms, and guiding teams on large studio projects

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Film Composer

Writes and produces original scores and songs for feature films and documentaries.

Jingle and Ad Music Composer

Creates short, memorable jingles and audio logos for brands and campaigns.

Game Audio Composer

Writes adaptive music and themes that respond to gameplay in video games.

OTT and Web Series Composer

Scores title themes and background music for streaming shows.

Music Arranger

Turns a composer's sketch into full arrangements for orchestras, bands or vocalists.

Music Director

Leads recording sessions and oversees the music for a film or album.

Sound Designer

Creates effects and ambient sound for films, ads and games alongside the music.

Music Supervisor

Selects and licenses existing tracks for film, TV and advertising projects.

Scope and Future of Music Composer in India

Demand for original music is rising as OTT platforms, digital advertising and games create more projects that need background scores, title themes and short audio branding. Regional film industries in India also produce many films and songs each year, which keeps composers busy across languages.

Growth areas include game audio, podcasts, branded content and independent music for social media. Royalties and licensing income can add to fees when work is reused. Press reports in 2026 about a reported Rs 8 lakh royalty for a film song show how much royalty income can matter, which makes clear contracts important.

Public support for composers comes mainly through the market rather than dedicated government schemes, so check current cultural programmes before relying on them. Abroad, composers work for film, TV and game studios in the UK, US and Europe, but these roles usually need a strong international portfolio and work permits. Many Indian composers also serve overseas clients remotely from home studios.

Is Music Composer
the Right Career for You?

Music Composer can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Music Composer: Frequently Asked Questions

Is music composition a good career in India?

It can be, but it is competitive and income often starts slowly. Demand is growing from OTT platforms, advertising and games, and regional film industries keep many projects coming. Success usually depends on a strong portfolio, networking and steady client work, so most composers take freelance projects alongside learning in their early years.

What qualification do I need to become a music composer?

There is no single mandatory qualification. A Class 12 pass is the usual starting point for a Bachelor of Music, a BA in Music or a music production diploma. Many composers then add a postgraduate degree or specialised course, but a portfolio of original tracks and client work is what most hirers look at first.

How much does a music composer earn in India?

Earnings vary widely. Entry-level composers often earn around ₹2 - ₹5 Lakh a year, much of it from project fees, while mid-level composers can earn more as their client base grows. Leading film composers earn far higher fees and royalties. These figures are approximate and change with the market.

Can I become a music composer without a music degree?

Yes, many composers are self-taught and learn through practice, online courses and collaboration. A degree helps with theory, harmony and orchestration, and it can open doors to institutions and jobs that ask for formal training. Whichever route you take, a strong showreel of original work matters most when you pitch for projects.

Which software do music composers use?

Most composers work in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase or Ableton Live. They also use virtual instruments and sample libraries to create orchestral and electronic sounds, along with notation software for scores. Learning one DAW well is a practical first step.

Do music composers earn royalties?

Composers can earn royalties when their music is broadcast, streamed, performed or reused, and these are usually managed through rights bodies and contracts. Income depends on how widely a track is used and how well the contract was negotiated. Reading agreements carefully and registering works properly is important from the start.

Can music composition be done as freelance work?

Yes, many composers work freelance, taking projects from filmmakers, ad agencies, game studios and online clients. Freelancing gives flexibility but means managing your own invoices, contracts and deadlines. Some composers combine freelance work with a salaried role at a studio or production house.

Can I study music composition after Class 12 in Science?

Often yes, though requirements vary by institution. Many music and music production programmes accept students from any stream, but a practical audition or test is common. If you want a music career, practise an instrument or your voice seriously alongside your studies and start producing tracks at home.

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