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Live Entertainment
Live Nation, AEG Presents, Broadway Across America
Musicians and Singers
Musicians and singers rehearse, record, and perform music for live audiences, studios, and stage productions. The work is distinct because success depends on both skill and self-promotion: you have to stay performance-ready while also finding the next gig, session, or audition. That creates a constant tradeoff between artistic freedom and unstable, highly competitive work.
Also known as VocalistSingerMusicianRecording ArtistBacking Vocalist
Median Salary
$0
Mean $0
U.S. Workforce
~38K
19.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.1%
169.8K to 171.6K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Musicians and Singers sits in the Creative category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~38K workers, with a median annual pay of $0 and roughly 19.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 169.8 K in 2024 to 171.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's Degree in Music, Vocal Performance, or a Related Field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-level Performer and can progress toward Headliner or Lead Artist. High-value skills usually include Live Performance Technique & Stage Presence, Vocal Technique & Breath Control, and Ear Training, Pitch Matching & Sight Reading, paired with soft skills such as Speaking, Active Listening, and Social Perceptiveness.
Core Responsibilities
- Practice songs or instrumental parts until they can be performed smoothly and from memory.
- Perform for audiences at concerts, recitals, theater productions, ceremonies, and other events.
- Record music in a studio or remote session, often doing multiple takes to get the right sound.
- Read sheet music or learn pieces by ear so they can sing or play them accurately.
Keep exploring: more Creative careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Practice songs or instrumental parts until they can be performed smoothly and from memory.
02 Perform for audiences at concerts, recitals, theater productions, ceremonies, and other events.
03 Record music in a studio or remote session, often doing multiple takes to get the right sound.
04 Read sheet music or learn pieces by ear so they can sing or play them accurately.
05 Rehearse with bands, conductors, producers, or show directors to match timing, style, and cues.
06 Promote performances or releases through interviews, social media, and public appearances.
Industries That Hire
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Recorded Music & Publishing
Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group
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Theater, Film & Television
Disney, Netflix, Paramount Pictures
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Education & Conservatories
Berklee College of Music, Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music
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Cruise Lines & Theme Parks
Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field without a formal credential; the BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry point and long-term on-the-job training as the main training path.
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One skill set can lead to many kinds of work, from concerts and studio sessions to theater pits, corporate events, cruises, and teaching.
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The work is creative and public-facing, so you get immediate feedback from audiences instead of sitting behind a desk all day.
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There are still about 19.4K annual openings, which means constant replacement demand even though overall growth is only 1.1% through 2034.
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Successful performers can stack income from live gigs, recordings, lessons, and promotion instead of relying on a single employer.
Challenges
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Income can be very uneven from month to month, and the lack of a standard salary figure reflects how much earnings can swing between steady work and dry spells.
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Projected growth is only 1.1% through 2034, so the field is not expanding much and many openings will come from turnover rather than new demand.
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Competition is intense because many people can sing or play well, but only a small share get steady bookings, management support, or label attention.
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A lot of the work happens at night, on weekends, or on the road, which can make family life and regular routines hard to maintain.
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The job can wear down your voice, hearing, hands, and back over time, and career progress often depends on networking and visibility as much as raw talent.
Career Progression
Entry-level Performer
0-2 years
$20K-$30K
Build experience through open mics, small gigs, backup work, community events, and auditions while learning how to handle rehearsal and performance schedules.
Musicians and Singers
2-7 years
$31K-$65K
Work paid jobs in clubs, studios, theaters, schools, houses of worship, and special events, often balancing several part-time income streams.
Established Touring or Studio Performer THIS ROLE
7-15 years
$66K-$125K
Land recurring tours, session work, featured spots, or union jobs that create a steadier calendar and stronger professional reputation.
Headliner or Lead Artist
10+ years
$126K-$300K
Lead major acts or projects, spend heavily on promotion and touring, and rely on a strong audience following to keep work coming in.
Education Paths
Bachelor's Degree in Music, Vocal Performance, or a Related Field
The most common path in the education distribution, held by 29.07% of workers in this occupation, and often used to build technique, repertoire, and professional contacts.
Master's Degree in Performance or Music
An advanced route chosen by 17.15% of workers, often for people aiming at teaching, elite ensemble work, or more competitive solo opportunities.
High School Diploma or GED Plus Lessons and Gigs
A viable lower-cost path for performers who build experience directly, and 12.14% of workers report this level even though the BLS says no formal educational credential is the typical entry point.
Private Study, Conservatory Training, or a Performance Certificate
Some performers skip a traditional degree and instead build skills through long-term lessons, coaching, auditions, and local performances.
Key Skills
Technical
Live Performance Technique & Stage Presence 68%
Vocal Technique & Breath Control 66%
Ear Training, Pitch Matching & Sight Reading 65%
Instrument Technique & Repertoire 64%
DAWs (Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live) 62%
Microphones, Monitors & Recording Studio Setup 60%
Soft Skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationCritical ThinkingMonitoring Job Outlook and Trends
+1.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
19.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 169.8K to 171.6 K over the next decade, representing 1.1% growth. Around 19.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.