Major recording artists with established careers can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per song recorded, while less successful singers may earn only a few thousand dollars per song. In some cases, singers may even receive a signing bonus or advance payment that covers the costs of recording and promoting a song, with no additional royalties paid for individual songs.
In general, royalties are paid to singers (and other songwriters) based on the number of times a song is played or sold. These royalties can be collected through a variety of sources, including radio airplay, digital downloads, and streaming services. The rate at which royalties are paid can vary, but is typically around 10% of the retail price of a song.
In addition to royalties, singers may also receive other compensation for recording songs, such as tour support, merchandise sales, and licensing fees for use of their music in films, advertisements, and other media.