Musician & Singer
Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios.
What the job is
- The work
- Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios.
BLS
Musicians and Singers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Musicians and singers often perform in settings such as concert halls, churches, and clubs. Part-time work is common, and work schedules may vary and include mornings, nights, or weekends.
BLS
Musicians and Singers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Dedicated performers who practise every day and can keep auditioning after rejections.
- Career cluster
- Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (musicians and singers).
- Median pay
- $47.80 an hour (BLS publishes no annual wage for this job)
BLS
Musicians and Singers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 170,400
- Typical entry
- No formal educational credential
- Training after hire
- Long-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- 0%, which BLS calls "little or no change"
BLS
Musicians and Singers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +600 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Musicians and singers typically do not need formal postsecondary education to enter the occupation. However, those pursuing careers in some genres, such as classical or opera, may choose to earn a bachelor's or higher degree. Musicians and singers need extensive training and regular practice to acquire their skills.
BLS
Musicians and Singers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- Musicians and singers typically need no postsecondary education, but they need extensive training and regular practice, usually starting young with private lessons and school classes. Classical and opera performers may earn a bachelor's or higher degree; applicants typically submit recordings or audition in person.
- License
- Not required
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
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- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
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- OhioState guide
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- OregonState guide
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- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Musician or singer: years of lessons and practice; a music degree (by audition) for classical and opera
See the roadmap
Route 1: Lessons, practice and performing · Route 2: Bachelor's in music theory or performance
More careers in Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.