Musicians and Singers salary in California
Musicians and Singers in California earn a median of $43.83 an hour, based on BLS data for 6,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $21.61 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123.63 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $47.80. California ranks 13th of 28 states for musicians and singers pay. There are 0.38 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally.
Pay range for musicians and singers in California
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21.61 |
| 25th percentile | $28.23 |
| Median | $43.83 |
| 75th percentile | $75.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123.63 |
| Average (mean) | $61.30 |
Half of musicians and singers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
BLS publishes only hourly pay for this job, because musicians and singers often work irregular hours or short engagements, so a yearly figure would be misleading. At $43.83 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,753.20.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75.75 | 970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $53.16 | 3,230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $51.34 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $51.13 | 370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $49.45 | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $45.45 | 190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $40.41 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38.63 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $37.90 | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $35.17 | 50 |
| Vallejo, CA | $33.85 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $33.12 | 170 |
| Fresno, CA | $28.22 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for musicians and singers
| State | Median hourly |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $65.46 |
| North Carolina | $57.96 |
| Minnesota | $53.64 |
| Illinois | $53.12 |
| Hawaii | $52.59 |
| Connecticut | $50.75 |
| Virginia | $50.60 |
| Florida | $50.47 |
| Montana | $46.84 |
| Washington | $46.55 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.82 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,530 | — |
| Dancer | — | $21.79 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $79,040 | — |
| Choreographer | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a musicians and singers make in California?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in California is $43.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $21.61 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123.63 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in California?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in California earn at least $123.63 an hour. The top 25% earn $75.32 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21.61 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $28.23 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in California?
About 6,840 musicians and singers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.