The top 10% of session artists earn $152,547 per year. If classical isn't your performance route and you're not working towards becoming a successful recording artist, you can earn fantastic money as a session artist.That may not remain the same, as the past few years have shown a spike in conductor and music director salaries. The impact of the reputation and market of the orchestra on salary numbers is also similar.

The same approximate salary numbers that apply to orchestral musicians also apply to an orchestra's conductor and music director.

Orchestral musicians with orchestras in smaller markets will typically start in the mid to high five figures. A starting position at one of the top five orchestras in the United States will be in the low six figures. Pay rates for orchestral musicians vary widely, with the reputational category of the orchestra as a key driver.

Full-time orchestral musician with a prominent orchestra.

As you move up, you can earn an annual salary anywhere from a $250,000 to over one million dollars. There's a steep career ladder to climb, and the lower rungs pay poorly. If you're not going to be the global mega-star, you may be able to be the booking agent that plans their tours. Here are some other, more realistic options that pay very well. Being a global mega-star can earn you tons, but it's a hard row to hoe. Still, it was their success as global music stars that provided the platform from which they could enter other lucrative businesses. Now, they didn't earn all that money directly from their music. Beyonce and Jay-Z are reportedly worth a combined $1.4 billion. For those of you who love music, want to work in music, and want to make a ton of money doing it, here are eight jobs in the music industry that pay top dollar. 'No,' a drummer replied, 'the money I earn playing gigs buys the food that feeds my soul.'Īrtistic expression can be its own reward, but most of us need (and want) more material rewards as well. 'Isn't it the art that feeds your soul?' the band leader asked. It was a paying gig, but the bandleader expected the drummer to play for free. A band leader wanted a drummer to join him for a gig.

Recently, there was a post on Reddit's r/choosingbeggars.

Music producer annual salary