How much does a musician make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $7,734 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $6,153
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. United States | $92,810 |
| 2. Switzerland estimate | $89,240 |
| 3. Germany | $78,620 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $320 |
Similar jobs
Professionals
- Artist$54,170
- Ballet dancer$52,550
- Art director$94,500
- Actor$60,420
- Announcer$58,180
- Performer$41,020
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Nevada | $136,200 |
| New Jersey | $122,800 |
| Minnesota | $111,600 |
| Illinois | $109,100 |
| North Carolina | $108,500 |
| Hawaii | $105,600 |
| Connecticut | $100,200 |
| Florida | $95,020 |
| Colorado | $94,100 |
| New Mexico | $93,890 |
See all 37 states
| California | $91,680 |
| Washington | $91,220 |
| District of Columbia | $84,040 |
| Montana | $83,780 |
| Virginia | $83,050 |
| New York | $82,930 |
| Indiana | $81,110 |
| Massachusetts | $80,180 |
| Missouri | $79,820 |
| Tennessee | $79,640 |
| Maryland | $77,390 |
| Wisconsin | $77,030 |
| Maine | $74,380 |
| Michigan | $73,040 |
| Iowa | $70,130 |
| Texas | $68,790 |
| Ohio | $67,790 |
| Georgia | $67,100 |
| Mississippi | $62,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 |
| Oregon | $60,800 |
| Utah | $60,260 |
| Kansas | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $54,250 |
| Alabama | $47,540 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| South Carolina | $40,080 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Musician and Singer | $99,420 |
| Music Director and Composer | $73,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a musician make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $7,734 a month, $92,810 a year.
How much does a musician make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $39,880 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $165,800.
Which country pays a musician the most?
United States, with a median of $92,810 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a musician the most?
Nevada, with a median of $136,200 a year.
Does a musician make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $92,810 a year against $78,620 in Germany, 1.2 times more.
Who makes more, a musician or an artist?
A musician: $92,810 a year against $54,170 for an artist, 1.7 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate