The BLS also reports that the median annual wage for musicians in the performing arts was $33,950 in May 2020. This means that half of all musicians in the performing arts earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less.
The following table provides a more detailed breakdown of musician salaries by occupation and experience level:
| Occupation | Average Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Musicians, singers, and related workers | $38,760 |
| Musicians and singers | $33,950 |
| Instrumental musicians | $37,170 |
| Vocalists | $32,860 |
| Jazz musicians | $32,130 |
| Classical musicians | $30,570 |
| Country and western musicians | $28,550 |
| Rock and pop musicians | $28,260 |
| Gospel and religious music musicians | $27,950 |
| Other musicians | $27,650 |
| Musicians and singers, all levels of experience | $28,090 |
| Musicians and singers, less than 1 year of experience | $18,510 |
| Musicians and singers, 1 to 3 years of experience | $24,360 |
| Musicians and singers, 3 to 5 years of experience | $30,730 |
| Musicians and singers, 5 to 10 years of experience | $38,060 |
| Musicians and singers, 10 or more years of experience | $47,150 |
It is important to note that these are just average salaries, and individual musician salaries can vary significantly. For example, a successful musician who tours regularly and records albums may earn much more than a musician who plays in a local band. Similarly, a musician who has a college degree in music may earn more than a musician who does not.
Finally, it is worth noting that musician salaries can also be affected by location. For example, musicians who live in major metropolitan areas may earn more than musicians who live in rural areas.