It is difficult to estimate the earnings of the average musician, because what a musician earns is dependent upon his or her skill, reputation, geographic location, type of music, and number of engagements per year.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median earnings of musicians and singers were $28.15 per hour ($58,552 annually) in May 2018. The lowest paid 10 percent earned $10.40 per hour ($21,632 annually) or less, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $73.34 per hour ($152,547 annually) or more. Musicians who worked for performing arts companies had mean hourly wages of $41.66, or $86,653 annually; and musicians who worked for religious organizations earned approximately $36.23 per hour, or $75,358 per year. It's important to note that most musicians do not work a typical 40-hour week.

Popular musicians are usually paid per concert or gig. A band just starting out playing a small bar or club may be required to play three sets a night, and each musician may receive next to nothing for the entire evening. Often, bands receive a percentage of the cover charge at the door. Some musicians play for drinks alone. On average, however, pay per musician ranges from $30 to $300 or more per night. Bands that have gained recognition and a following may earn far more, because a club owner can usually be assured that many people will come to see the band play. The most successful popular musicians, of course, can earn millions of dollars each year. Today, some artists sign recording contracts worth $20 million or more.

Musicians are well paid for studio recording work, when they can get it. According to the American Federation of Musicians payscale for February 2018 through January 2019, musicians and composers are paid flat rates for three-hour sessions. Lead musicians earn $843.12 per session, while side musicians earn $421.56. The federation also provides pay scales that cover overtime, longer recording sessions, holidays, weekends, and overnight hours.

The salaries received by music teachers in public elementary and secondary schools are the same as for other teachers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, public elementary and high school teachers had mean yearly earnings of $57,980 and $60,320, respectively, in May 2018. Music teachers in colleges and universities had salaries that ranged from less than $36,360 to $146,290 or more. Most teachers supplement their incomes through private instruction and by performing in their off hours.

Most musicians do not, as a rule, work steadily for one employer, and they often undergo long periods of unemployment between engagements. Because of these factors, few musicians can qualify for unemployment compensation. Unlike other workers, most musicians also do not enjoy such benefits as sick leave or paid vacations. Some musicians, on the other hand, who work under contractual agreements, do receive benefits, which usually have been negotiated by artists unions such as the American Federation of Musicians.

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