Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
Instrumental Musicians
Instrumental Musicians play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment, or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group.
Table of contents
What they do
Instrumental Musicians play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment, or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group.
- Practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- Perform before-live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Instrumental Musicians practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills. They specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
A typical day for an Instrumental Musician will also include:
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
- Teach music for specific instruments.
- Listen to recordings to masterpieces or to maintain and improve skills.
- Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Instrumental Musicians also sight-read musical parts during rehearsals. They may also perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Instrumental Musicians listen to recordings to masterpieces or to maintain and improve skills. They might also transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.
In addition, they teach music for specific instruments.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them direct bands or orchestras.
To some Instrumental Musicians, it is also their responsibility to arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
75% said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they found their job meaningful.
When I arrive on the unit, I sanitize my electric piano and check in with the charge nurse. The charge nurse gives me a list of patients to visit that day. Then I go room to room and offer to sing and play music for patients and caregivers. At the end of the day, I debrief with the charge nurse and refer any patients showing signs of emotional distress to the psychosocial support team.
Pros and Cons
This is the best and the hardest job I’ve ever had. I feel honored to accompany people during the hardest times of their lives and offer them a moment of joy, beauty, and peace. Patients often cry with relief and gratitude as my music caresses their weary souls. It’s also the hardest job because I tend to work with high acuity patients on oncology and bone marrow transplant units. The mortality rate is high and avoiding caregiver fatigue is an ever-present challenge. I’m grateful to have the flexibility to take a day off when I experience the loss of a beloved patient. Even so, I couldn’t be more thankful to do this meaningful work. I get a front-row seat to see the power of music and the arts to help humans transcend their circumstances.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. 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
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Instrumental Musicians 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 Instrumental Musicians based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Local Government | $ | $37.60 |
| General Merchandise Stores | $ | $19.36 |
| Spectator Sports | $ | $25.20 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | $ | $21.35 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | $ | $50.74 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $ | $* |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $ | $35.27 |
| Sound Recording Industries | $ | $* |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $ | $12.33 |
| Employment Services | $ | $* |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Instrumental Musicians work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Instrumental Musicians 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 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz