What Does A Singer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Singers

Singers sing songs on stage, radio, television, or motion pictures.

Becoming One
Medium
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Singers sing songs on stage, radio, television, or motion pictures.

  • Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
  • Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
  • Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
  • Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Singers research particular roles to find out more about a character, or the time and place in which a piece is set. They interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.

A typical day for a Singer will also include:

  • Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
  • Learn acting, dancing, and other skills required for dramatic singing roles.
  • Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
  • Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.
  • Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Singers also observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation. They may also memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Singers seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording. They might also perform before live audiences, or in television, radio, or movie productions.

In addition, they sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.

To some Singers, it is also their responsibility to collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

75% said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they found their job meaningful.


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Pros

Suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to follow routines.

How much do they make

Average salary

$ per year

Average hourly wage

$42 per hour

Entry-level Singers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $* to $* per year or $11 to $18 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $* $87
Senior (Top 25%) $* $55
Median $* $31
Junior (Bottom 25%) $* $18
No experience (Bottom 10%) $* $11

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Singers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Sound Recording Industries $ $*
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions $ $12.33
Employment Services $ $*
Amusement Parks and Arcades $ $14.87
Elementary and Secondary Schools $ $29.77
Traveler Accommodation $ $*
Junior Colleges $ $27.50
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) $ $31.99
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $ $29.95
Death Care Services $ $49.09

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Singers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Singers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Performing Arts Companies 15960 $ $48.47
Religious Organizations 8670 $ $38.27
Elementary and Secondary Schools 2230 $ $29.77
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 1760 $ $29.95
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 1550 $ $35.27
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events 930 $ $50.74
Other Schools and Instruction 830 $ $32.98
Sound Recording Industries 460 $ $*
Local Government 340 $ $37.60
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) 240 $ $31.99

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
67%

40 hours
13%

More than 40 hours
21%

Working schedule

20%

51%

29%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
36%

Every day
29%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
30%

Every day
5%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
44%

Every day
33%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
36%

Once a year
24%

Once a month
11%

Once a week
14%

Every day
15%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
19%

Slightly competitive
1%

Moderately competitive
22%

Highly competitive
13%

Extremely competitive
45%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
1%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
2%

Once a week or more
45%

Every day
42%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
57%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
22%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
80%

Once a year or more
3%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
74%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
17%

High School Diploma or equivalent
15%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
26%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
29%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
13%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Percussion Instruments

A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.

Woodwind Instruments

A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.


Brass Instruments

A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.

Music Pedagogy

A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications.

Stringed Instruments

A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.


Jazz/Jazz Studies

A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of Jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics.

Voice and Opera

A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development.

Keyboard Instruments

A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development.


Music Performance

A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings.

Music

A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media.

Musical Theatre

A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
25%

1 month
12%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
9%

6 months to 1 year
21%

1 to 2 years
5%

2 to 4 years
2%

4 to 6 years
3%

6 to 8 years
19%

8 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
21%

1 month
14%

1 to 3 months
42%

3 to 6 months
11%

6 months to 1 year
1%

1 to 2 years
10%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Builder
24%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
14%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
100%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
38%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
62%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
14%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
76%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
60%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
62%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
29%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
57%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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