Music Industry Hits Record $11.5B in U.S. Revenue

Vinyl sales and Taylor Swift's latest album drive growth

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:53pm

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The U.S. music industry reached a new high of $11.5 billion in revenue last year, fueled by a surge in vinyl record sales and the massive success of Taylor Swift's latest album. Streaming continued to dominate, making up over 80% of total revenue, while physical formats like vinyl saw a resurgence.

Why it matters

The record-breaking music industry revenue highlights the continued importance of music as a cultural and economic force in the U.S. The growth in vinyl and streaming shows how fans are consuming music in diverse ways, adapting to new technologies while also embracing classic formats.

The details

Vinyl record sales accounted for over $1 billion in U.S. revenue in 2025, up more than 9% from the previous year. The U.S. is the global leader in vinyl sales, generating nearly 50% of the format's worldwide revenue. Streaming remained the dominant revenue driver, making up over 80% of total U.S. music sales. Taylor Swift's latest album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' set a new record for the biggest album opening week, selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. and generating 681 million streams in its first week.

  • The U.S. music industry reached a record $11.5 billion in revenue in 2025.
  • Vinyl record sales surpassed $1 billion in U.S. revenue in 2025, the first time since 1983.
  • Taylor Swift's album 'The Life of a Showgirl' set a new record for the biggest album opening week in 2025.

The players

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

The trade organization that represents the U.S. recording industry, providing data and analysis on the state of the music business.

Taylor Swift

A popular American singer-songwriter whose latest album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' set a new record for the biggest album opening week in 2025.

Adele

A British singer-songwriter whose album '25' previously held the record for the biggest album opening week, which was surpassed by Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' in 2025.

Drake

A Canadian rapper whose albums 'Scorpion' and 'Certified Lover Boy' hold some of the biggest streaming weeks of all time, second only to Taylor Swift's latest album.

Mikael Wood

A staff writer for the Los Angeles Times who contributed to the reporting on this story.

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What they’re saying

“Fans are consuming music from the artists they love in more ways than ever, and that passion is reflected in today's report. 2025 reveals a strong and stable music economy resulting from committed label investment and identification of new spaces to expand artists' creativity.”

— Matt Bass, Vice President of Research, RIAA

“Music remains a cornerstone of culture and a growing economic powerhouse for the U.S., contributing $212 billion to our GDP and supporting more than 2.5 million American jobs.”

— Mitch Glazier, Chairman, RIAA

The takeaway

The music industry's record-breaking $11.5 billion in U.S. revenue highlights the continued resilience and adaptability of the sector. Fans are embracing both new and classic formats, from streaming to vinyl, while top artists like Taylor Swift continue to drive massive engagement and sales. This growth underscores music's enduring cultural and economic significance in America.