Occupational Employment Statistics for Music Programs:

 

The data and information provided on this page for the degree programs in Music Business, Business Management come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Listed below are the Standard Occupational Codes (S.O.C.) for the paid positions for which an A.A.S. Business Management, Music Business Specialist, A.A.S. Jazz/Commercial Music, B.P.S. Business Management (Music Business), M.M. Jazz/Commercial Music, or D.M.A. Composition/Arranging degree might be appropriate qualifications. On this page are also provided employment estimates and mean wage estimates for musicians, singers and related workers. In addition, there are links to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website for all of the information that follows:

 

Nature of the Work

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Employment

Job Outlook

Projections

Earnings

Wages

Related Occupations

Sources of Additional Information

 

27-2040 Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers

 

This broad occupation includes the following two detailed occupations:

27-2041 Music Directors and Composers
27-2042 Musicians and Singers

 

Significant Points

 

*Part-time schedules—typically at night and on weekends—intermittent unemployment, and rejection when auditioning for work are common; many musicians and singers supplement their income with earnings from other sources.

 

*Aspiring musicians and singers begin studying an instrument or training their voice at an early age.

 

*Competition for jobs, especially full-time jobs, is keen; talented individuals who can play several instruments and perform a wide range of musical styles should enjoy the best job prospects.

 

27-2041 Music Directors and Composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras, choirs, and glee clubs. Include arrangers, composers, choral directors, and orchestrators.

 

27-2042 Musicians and Singers

 

Play one or more musical instruments or entertain by singing songs in recital, in accompaniment, or as a member of an orchestra, band, or other musical group. Musical performers may entertain on-stage, radio, TV, film, video, or record in studios. Exclude "Dancers" (27-2031).

 

 

Projections Data for Musicians and Singers

 

Projections data from the National Employment Matrix

Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2008	Projected  Employment, 2018	Change, 2008-18		Detailed Statistics
				Number	Percent
Musicians, singers, and related workers	27-2040	240,000	259,600	19,600	8	[PDF]	[XLS]
Music directors and composers	27-2041	53,600	59,000	5,300	10	[PDF]	[XLS]
Musicians and singers	27-2042	186,400	200,600	14,200	8	[PDF]	[XLS]
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.

 

 

Earnings for Musicians and Singers

 

Median hourly wages of wage-and-salary musicians and singers were $21.24 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $11.49 and $36.36. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.64, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59.92. Median hourly wages were $23.68 in performing arts companies and $12.50 in religious organizations. Annual wage data for musicians and singers were not available because of the wide variation in the number of hours worked by musicians and singers and the short-term nature of many jobs. It is rare for musicians and singers to have guaranteed employment that exceeds 3 to 6 months.

 

Median annual wages of salaried music directors and composers were $41,270 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,480 and $63,200. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,280.

 

For self-employed musicians and singers, earnings typically reflect the number of jobs a freelance musician or singer played or the number of hours and weeks of contract work, in addition to a performer's professional reputation and setting. Performers who can fill large concert halls, arenas, or outdoor stadiums generally command higher pay than those who perform in local clubs. Soloists or headliners usually receive higher earnings than band members or opening acts. The most successful musicians earn performance or recording fees that far exceed the median earnings.

 

The American Federation of Musicians negotiates minimum contracts for major orchestras during the performing season. Each orchestra works out a separate contract with its local union, but individual musicians may negotiate higher salaries. In regional orchestras, minimum salaries often are less because fewer performances are scheduled. Regional orchestra musicians frequently are paid for their services without any guarantee of future employment. Community orchestras often have limited funding and offer salaries that are much lower for seasons of shorter duration.

 

Although musicians employed by some symphony orchestras work under master wage agreements, which guarantee a season's work up to 52 weeks, many other musicians face relatively long periods of unemployment between jobs. Even when employed, many musicians and singers work part time in unrelated occupations. Thus, their earnings for music usually are lower than earnings in many other occupations. Moreover, because they may not work steadily for one employer, some performers cannot qualify for unemployment compensation and few have typical benefits such as sick leave or paid vacations. For these reasons, many musicians give private lessons or take jobs unrelated to music to supplement their earnings as performers.

 

Many musicians belong to a local of the American Federation of Musicians. Professional singers who perform live often belong to a branch of the American Guild of Musical Artists; those who record for the broadcast industries may belong to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

 

 

 

27-2099 Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other

 

*All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately.

 

National estimates for this occupation
Industry profile for this occupation
Geographic profile for this occupation

 

 

National Estimates for This Occupation:

 

 

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry	Employment(1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Motion Picture and Video Industries	11,610	3.27	$18.83	(4)
Amusement Parks and Arcades	2,100	1.31	$13.93	(4)
Traveler Accommodation	1,440	0.09	$25.49	(4)
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	1,260	0.05	$18.18	(4)
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers	750	1.65	$21.48	(4)

 

 

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:

Industry	Employment(1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Motion Picture and Video Industries	11,610	3.27	$18.83	(4)
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers	750	1.65	$21.48	(4)
Amusement Parks and Arcades	2,100	1.31	$13.93	(4)
Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures	60	0.34	$17.68	(4)
Spectator Sports	290	0.22	$17.09	(4)

 

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry	Employment(1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services	(8)	(8)	$31.20	(4)
Traveler Accommodation	1,440	0.09	$25.49	(4)
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events	170	0.18	$24.07	(4)
Radio and Television Broadcasting	80	0.04	$23.77	(4)
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers	750	1.65	$21.48	(4)

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States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State	Employment(1)	Employment per thousand jobs	Location quotient (9)	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
California	12,710	0.91	4.91	$18.38	(4)
Florida	3,760	0.53	2.86	$13.88	(4)
New Jersey	1,410	0.38	2.03	$28.04	(4)
New York	680	0.08	0.44	$18.75	(4)
Nevada	620	0.56	3.02	$27.55	(4)

 

25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

 

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

 

National estimates for this occupation
Industry profile for this occupation
Geographic profile for this occupation

 

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

 

 

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

 

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

 

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry	Employment (1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	61,460	2.17	(4)	$71,250
Junior Colleges	17,320	2.27	(4)	$72,990
Other Schools and Instruction	7,210	2.24	(4)	$63,860
Technical and Trade Schools	630	0.41	(4)	$51,500
Performing Arts Companies	70	0.06	(4)	$74,090

 

 

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:

Industry	Employment (1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Junior Colleges	17,320	2.27	(4)	$72,990
Other Schools and Instruction	7,210	2.24	(4)	$63,860
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	61,460	2.17	(4)	$71,250
Technical and Trade Schools	630	0.41	(4)	$51,500
Business Schools and Computer and Management Training	50	0.06	(8)	(8)

 

 

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry	Employment (1)	Percent of industry employment	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
Performing Arts Companies	70	0.06	(4)	$74,090
Junior Colleges	17,320	2.27	(4)	$72,990
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	61,460	2.17	(4)	$71,250
Other Schools and Instruction	7,210	2.24	(4)	$63,860
Technical and Trade Schools	630	0.41	(4)	$51,500

 

States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

 

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State	Employment (1)	Employment per thousand jobs	Location quotient (9)	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage (2)
California	13,490	0.96	1.41	(4)	$95,760
New York	6,720	0.81	1.18	(4)	$99,630
Texas	5,730	0.57	0.83	(4)	$62,670
Ohio	4,850	0.98	1.44	(4)	$64,650
Massachusetts	4,670	1.50	2.19	(4)	$84,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27-2041 Music Directors and Composers

 

 

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