Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Musicians and Singers
Also called: Chorister, Drummer, Musician, Opera Singer
US median pay
—
not published
Job growth 2025–35
+0.3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
17,400
170,400 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
What they do day to day
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Practice performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
- Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.
- Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording.
- Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
- Make or participate in recordings.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
- Systems Analysis2.8/5
- Persuasion2.8/5
- Negotiation2.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6/5
Knowledge
- Fine Arts4.8/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.5/5
- Communications and Media2.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.