Musicians and Singers
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
What it pays
Musicians and Singers earn a median of $47.80/hr — about $99,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $20.35/hr; the top 10% earn $132.56/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Musicians and Singers earn a median of $47.80/hr — about $99,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $20.35/hr; the top 10% earn $132.56/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work splits time indoors and out; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 46.8% of musicians and singers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are creative, take-charge and people-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
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- Producers and Directors
- Art Directors
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Quick questions
- How much does a musicians and singer make?
- The median pay is $47.80 per hour — roughly $99,500 a year, with the real range running from about $20.35/hr (10th percentile) to $132.56/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a musicians and singer?
- The typical entry-level education is: Less than high school. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a musicians and singer actually do all day?
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings. Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment. Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.