Storefront Notes

Start your online business · Side hustles · 2 min read

How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid for a Song?

By the Storefront Notes Editorial Team · Updated

Short answer

Song ghostwriters are usually paid either a flat fee in exchange for giving up credit and royalties, or a share of songwriting credit and publishing royalties with no public name, or a mix. Flat fees range widely, from small amounts for beginners on freelance platforms to substantial sums for experienced writers working with established artists. Royalty deals can pay far more over time if a song succeeds.

Plenty of songs are written partly or entirely by people whose names you'll never see. Ghostwriting is common in rap, pop and commercial music. Pay varies enormously, and the structure of the deal matters as much as the headline number.

Ghostwriter vs credited co-writer

  • Ghostwriter: Writes lyrics or melody but isn't publicly credited. Often paid a flat fee, sometimes with hidden royalty participation.
  • Credited co-writer: Listed in the song's registration with performing rights organizations and paid a share of songwriting royalties.

Some "ghostwriters" are actually credited on registrations but not promoted publicly. Others give up all rights. The contract defines which.

How ghostwriters get paid

Flat fee (work for hire or buyout)

You're paid once, and the client owns the song. Common for:

  • Independent artists buying lyrics or toplines
  • Jingles and commercial work
  • Content creators needing custom songs

Fees range widely. Beginners on freelance marketplaces may charge modest amounts per song or verse, while experienced writers with a track record command much more. There's no official rate card.

Royalty share

You keep a percentage of the song's writing share. Income comes from:

  • Performance royalties (radio, streaming, live performance) collected by organizations like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC in the US, or PRS in the UK
  • Mechanical royalties from streams and sales
  • Sync fees if the song is licensed for TV, film, ads or games

If the song does well, royalties can be worth far more than any flat fee. If it doesn't, they may be worth almost nothing.

Hybrid

A smaller upfront fee plus a reduced royalty share. Often the fairest balance of risk.

What affects the rate

  • Your track record: Previous placements and credits
  • The client: Independent artist vs signed artist with label budget
  • Scope: A hook, a verse, full lyrics, or a complete song with melody
  • Rights given up: Full buyout costs more than a credited share
  • Deadline and revisions
  • Genre and market

Protect yourself with a contract

Never write on a handshake. A written agreement should cover:

  • What you're delivering and by when
  • Payment amount, schedule and method
  • Who owns the copyright
  • Whether you'll be credited (publicly or on registrations)
  • Royalty split, if any, and who registers the song
  • Confidentiality terms
  • What happens if the song isn't released

A music lawyer is worth the cost for any deal involving a meaningful advance or a signed artist.

How to start earning

  1. Build a portfolio of demos showing range.
  2. Register with a performing rights organization so you can collect royalties on credited work.
  3. Offer services on freelance platforms and in producer communities.
  4. Network with producers, studios and independent artists.
  5. Start with smaller paid projects to build credits and references.

A realistic view

Most songwriters, ghost or credited, earn irregular income. A few big placements can change everything, but steady earnings usually come from a mix of commissions, royalties and related work like topline writing, jingles or teaching.

If you're exploring writing as a side income more broadly, see how to become a copywriter, the best ghostwriting companies and how to start a side hustle.

Frequently asked questions

Do ghostwriters get royalties for songs?

Sometimes. A pure ghostwriting deal often trades royalties for a flat fee, but many arrangements keep a percentage of songwriting royalties even if the writer isn't publicly credited.

Is song ghostwriting legal?

Yes, as long as both parties agree in writing. The contract should cover credit, copyright ownership, payment and confidentiality.

How do new songwriters find ghostwriting work?

Freelance marketplaces, music producer networks, independent artists on social media, and collaborations through studios and songwriting communities.

Sources and further reading

Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.

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