Part of the mystery is that "producer" means different things. Are you just making the beat, or are you coaching the vocalist and arranging the whole song? The more hats you wear, the bigger your slice of the pie.
How Much Do Producers Make For A Beat at Brenda Edmonds blog
Also, the internet has exploded the market. A producer in Nigeria can make a beat for a rapper in New York. That opens up the world, but it also floods the pool. You’re competing with millions of talented people, which is both inspiring and terrifying.
The "Side-Hustle" Reality Check
Let’s get real: most music producers—like most artists—don't make a full-time living from music alone. Many teach lessons, DJ on weekends, or edit audio for podcasts. And you know what? That’s totally okay.
The average producer in America might take home $35,000 to $50,000 a year from production work. That’s similar to a school teacher or a plumber. But the trade-off is waking up every day and playing with sound for a living. Does that beat a cubicle? Rhetorical question. You know the answer.
