Performance Careers

Performance Careers in Music

Job Title	Salary	Summary
Busker-Street Performer	$50 - $1,000 per day. Some street musicians also have their own YouTube channels which can increase their income to over $250,000 a year.	Street performers or buskers play in public spaces for gratuities. Restrictions may apply depending on the area; a permit may be required for acts using amplifiers.
Church Choir (Section Leader or Soloist)	$25 - $100+/service	Section leader/soloist positions are generally paid whereas members of the choir generally volunteer.
Club Gigs in Boston and New York (non-classical) Band	$75 - $125+/person for club date. Sometimes bands perform for a % of the door (cover charge).	Depends on reputation of the band (covers vs. originals, how many people attend, and the size of the club).
Cruise Ship	$5,000 - $15,000/week	Depending on size of performance.
DJ	$100 a night to $50 million dollars a year	Entry level jobs at local night clubs, weddings and private parties. Higher level jobs at festivals and concerts.
Festival Act	$3,000 - $7,500/gig	Income listed is for a new act at a music festival.
General Business (GB) or Cover Band	$1,000 - $2,500 per gig	Bands are specifically designed to play covers for events like weddings, corporate functions, and private parties.
Las Vegas Residency	$360,000 - $500,000	Salary for established stars performing in major casinos.
Late-Night Television Band - Band Leader	$250,000 - $2,500,000/yr
Late-Night Television Band - Band member	$400,000 - $5 Million per year
SNL "Saturday Night Live" Performance	$345 - $1,000 per person
Touring Act Band	$16,000 per 40 dates/Club-level opener $750,000 per 40 dates/Club-level headliner $30,000 - $750,000 per 40 dates/Arena-level opener $3,000,000 - $30,000,000 per 40 dates/Arena- level headliner	Income assumes a sold out show at $50 or more per ticket.
YouTube Star	$250,000 - $1,000,000/yr	Salary listed is ad revenue for a mid-level YouTube star with views numbering in the hundred-millions and followers in the millions. YouTube Partners earn 55% of ad revenue that comes in through their original posts.

Performance - Conducting Careers in Music

Job Title	Salary	Summary
Choir, Orchestra, or Opera Conductor	$15,000 - $2.6 million	The higher salaries indicate a position with a major symphony or opera house and a season of approximately 40 weeks. The lower end of the scale represents a part-time position with a smaller organization.
Church Choir Director	$5,000 - $150,000	This salary depends on number of hours worked (hours vary from 10-40 hrs/week), size of church congregation, and level of education.

Performance - Instrumental Careers in Music

Job Title	Salary	Summary
Broadway Pit Musician	$800 - $1500+/week for the duration of the gig	Almost always requires membership in the Musicians Union.
Church Organist or Pianist	$100+/service $30,000 - $110,000/year for full-time organist position	This salary depends on number of hours worked (hours vary from 10-40 hrs/week), size of church congregation, and level of education. Knowledge of religious music and ability to get along with congregation are key.
Community Orchestras	San Francisco Symphony musicians earn an average annual salary of $165,000, with a minimum salary of $141,700.	The salary range reflects orchestras that rely on volunteers to more professional orchestras. Some orchestras offer a scholarship instead of paying for each service.
Military Bands and Orchestras	$21,000 - $77,000	Pay scale depends on rank, location, and organization. Some bands also have student loan repayment programs. Four to five year commitments and basic military training often required.
Orchestral Musician	Examples: $36,594 - Alabama Symphony (starting) $132,028 - Boston Symphony Orchestra (starting)	Range is for a full-time orchestra with a season of approximately 40 weeks. Other per service orchestras and orchestras with shorter seasons would have a lower salary.
Session Musician	Extremely wide range, $100 - $2,500 per day or up to $100,000+ The American Federation of Musicians (AFofM) specifies the minimum rate	A session musician plays on various recording projects for studios. Session musicians are usually hired by a contractor. Sight-reading is important
Touring Musician	$500 - $20,000 per week/Lead guitarist $200 - $15,000 per week/Keyboardist $200 - $15,000 per week/Drummer	Income for arena-level touring musicians, assuming a sold out show at $50 per ticket or more.

Performance - Vocal Careers in Music

Job Title	Salary	Summary
Background Vocalist	$100 - $8,000 per week	Income for arena-level touring background vocalist, assuming sold out shows at $50 per ticket or more.
Cantor	$25,000 - $80,000	Prime responsibility is to present liturgical music to a temple or synagogue in order to support prayers and studies of the religion.
Concert or Opera Chorus Member	$12+/rehearsal; $100+/performance	Auditions are required for these positions. Résumé and headshot are required for opera company auditions.
Concert or Opera Soloist	$450 - $1,000+/performance	Top caliber talent.

Studio Work - TV-Radio-Movie Careers in Music

Job Title	Salary	Summary
Studio Musician	Union scale - pay rate varies according to the situation Generally there is an hourly fee ($80 - $130+/hour) Fee may be higher if you double (play two different instruments) or are the group leader	This type of employment is principally found in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Seattle, and Europe, including London, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Prague, CZ.