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Composer, Librettist, Lyricist, Writer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Songwriters write songs for particular events, artists or media, such as musical theatre, radio advertising, film or television. In addition to composing the music, they may also be lyricists or librettists:
Songwriting is a very personal process. There are as many ways to write a song as there are people who write them. Some songwriters write the lyrics first and the melody later. Others compose the melody first and add the words later. Either way, they typically rework both the lyrics and the melody many times to produce a finished product.
Songwriters may record demos on home sound-recording systems or in professional studios. Many songwriters are musicians and singers themselves, and record their own demos by accompanying themselves on the piano or guitar. They may hire side musicians or singers to perform as well.
To market their work, songwriters may:
The ultimate goal for many songwriters is to have their songs chosen by record companies, music publishers or recording artists, and have them turn it into a hit single.
Songwriters often work alone, although they sometimes work with others as collaborators. Their hours of work and working environments vary considerably. Those who write advertising jingles for radio and television commercials must be able to work under the pressure of tight deadlines.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Arrangers
2023 OaSIS: 51121.03
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
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Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
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Songwriters need:
Songwriters should enjoy the creative process and the self-expression involved in their craft.
Although no formal training is required, songwriters need an excellent working knowledge of the language they compose lyrics in, and the ability to create original works using typical song structures. It is helpful to have:
The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) offers songwriting workshops and seminars periodically in larger centres across Canada.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Many people can write songs, but relatively few can write songs with commercial value. For some, writing advertising jingles is a stepping stone to becoming a lyricist or songwriter. These positions may work under contract with advertising agencies or radio and television stations.
Most songwriters send copies of their demos to:
Publishers, singers and producers are always on the lookout for good material. They listen to hundreds of new songs each year. However, they often are overwhelmed with requests to listen to new material. This means novice songwriters need to develop contacts to get their music heard.
Many songwriters post their demos on social media, in an effort to independently attract a following who appreciate their work. Often, gathering a large enough following online is sufficient to get a songwriter noticed by industry publishers, producers or artists.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Conductors, composers and arrangers
2016 NOC: 5132
97.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Songwriters are paid royalties for performances of their work. In Canada, performance rights royalties are collected and distributed by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Therefore, to receive royalties, songwriters must be members of SOCAN and register their work.
Songwriters earn royalties from:
Songwriters who do not assign their works to publishers are entitled to all of the royalties for performances of their work. Those who assign their works to publishers usually receive 50%. Some songwriters own and operate their own publishing companies. However, those who are new to the field usually earn more if they have a contract with an established publishing company.
Songwriters are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 51121: Conductors, composers and arrangers.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Conductors, composers and arrangers occupational group earned on average from $29.77 to $98.33 an hour. The overall average was $53.29 an hour. For more information, see the Conductors, composers and arrangers wage profile.
Alberta Music Industry Association website: www.albertamusic.org
Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada website: www.socan.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
