There's simply zero comparison between listening to a recording and hearing live music.
How much better is it, though? Most people will agree it's at least slightly better. But what percentage of music-listeners do you think want to go to a concert, and afford to go to a concert? And how many times per year are they doing so?
If you go to the data source, a higher percentage of STEM workers work in STEM than non-STEM workers. Furthermore, STEM majors still have higher salaries on average, by tens of thousands of dollars, and are highly sought-after by employers.
Also, an 18 year old probably isn't even in college yet.
All the more reason for him to be realistic about average salaries.