Unlock the Harmony of Musicology Careers: Prestigious Positions Await!
Musicology faculty jobs offer a captivating blend of historical analysis, cultural exploration, and innovative research in higher education. Aspiring professors and job seekers will find tenure-track positions, adjunct roles, and research-focused opportunities at leading universities. From dissecting Renaissance scores to studying global ethnomusicology trends, musicologists shape the future of music scholarship. Students eyeing musicology PhD programs can prepare for rewarding paths in academia, museums, or arts administration. Recent trends show growing demand for specialists in digital musicology and popular music studies, with the American Musicological Society (AMS) reporting over 3,000 members worldwide as of 2023.
Whether you're a graduate student building a portfolio or a seasoned scholar seeking advancement, higher ed jobs in musicology abound. Discover professor jobs that combine teaching, research, and performance. Check rate my professor reviews for musicology faculty to gauge programs. Salaries vary, but link to professor salaries for detailed insights by institution and location. Dive into higher ed career advice to refine your application. Explore now and conduct your academic symphony.
What is Musicology and Why Pursue It?
Musicology encompasses historical musicology, systematic study, and ethnomusicology, analyzing music's cultural contexts. Fringe cases include niche research on video game soundtracks or AI-composed symphonies, as seen in a 2022 UC Berkeley project blending musicology with computational analysis. Students should study multiple languages like German and Latin for archival work, pursuing BA/MA/PhD degrees. Top programs at Harvard, Stanford, and King's College London boast alumni in elite roles.
Career Paths for Musicology Graduates
Graduates enter academia via lecturer jobs, postdocs, or tenure tracks. Non-academic paths include curating at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or consulting for Spotify's music heritage playlists. A quirky anecdote: musicologist Susan McClary pioneered feminist musicology in the 1990s, influencing pop culture critiques. Link to rate my professor for musicology instructors at your target schools. Parents and students, explore scholarships for musicology studies.
Musicology Faculty Job Opportunities
Current openings emphasize interdisciplinary hires, like musicology with digital humanities at NYU. AMS job listings surged 15% in 2023 for assistant professor roles. Target faculty jobs or research jobs. Regional hotspots: Boston for Ivy League spots (Ivy League), California for innovative programs (US California jobs). Use free resume template for applications.
Salaries and Earnings in Musicology
Musicology professors earn competitively within humanities. Entry-level assistant professors average $75,000-$90,000 USD, rising to $120,000+ for full professors at R1 universities (2023 AAUP data). Adjuncts earn $3,000-$7,000 per course. Visit professor salaries for breakdowns by state, like higher pay in New York (US New York). Trends show prestige boosts from AMS fellowships.
| Role | Average Salary (USD) | Location Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $82,500 | US Midwest |
| Associate Professor | $98,000 | US East Coast |
| Full Professor | $135,000 | California |
Check rate my professor for musicology salary influencers.
Preparing for Musicology Academia
For Students
Build skills in paleography; join SMA for UK opportunities (jobs.ac.uk). Read career advice.
For Professors
Network at AMS conferences; target adjunct professor jobs for entry. Rate peers at rate my professor.
Tip: Publish in Journal of Musicology for prestige.
Associations for Musicology
International Musicological Society
A global organization that promotes musicological research and international collaboration among scholars in the field of musicology.
American Musicological Society
A leading society dedicated to advancing research in musicology, supporting scholars, and publishing resources primarily in the United States.
Royal Musical Association
The UK's principal society for promoting the study of music through conferences, publications, and support for musicological research.
Society for Ethnomusicology
An international organization focused on the study of music in its cultural context, fostering ethnomusicological research and education.
Gesellschaft für Musikforschung
Germany's primary association for music research, organizing congresses and publishing scholarly works in musicology.
Musicological Society of Australia
An organization that supports musicological scholarship and activities within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

