How much does a musician and singer make?
The median musician and singer in the United States earns N/A per year, about $42.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all musicians and singers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 27-2042.
Musician and singer salary range
Pay for musicians and singers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under N/A a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than N/A.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | N/A | $18.68 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | N/A | $26.02 | |
| Median (50th) | N/A | $42.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | N/A | $62.83 | |
| 90th percentile | N/A | $105.44 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for musicians and singers (SOC 27-2042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Job outlook for musicians and singers
The BLS projects employment of musicians and singers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 170,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 170,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,400 openings a year for musicians and singers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a musician and singer
The typical entry-level education for musicians and singers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a musician and singer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
About 38,350 people work as musicians and singers in the United States. At N/A a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Musician and singer salary FAQ
How much does a musician and singer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a musician and singer is $42.45. The middle half of musicians and singers earn between $26.02 and $62.83 per hour.
What is the highest musician and singer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of musicians and singers earn more than N/A per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a musician and singer make a year?
The median annual salary for a musician and singer is N/A.
Is being a musician and singer a well paid job?
At N/A a year, a musician and singer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 38,350 people work as musicians and singers in the United States.
Is being a musician and singer a good career?
Employment of musicians and singers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a musician and singer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for musicians and singers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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