Musicians and Singers salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Musicians and Singers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $28.56 an hour, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $18.45 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50.06 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $47.80. Pay here is 51% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $57.96. There are 0.11 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47).
Pay range for musicians and singers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $27.87 |
| Median | $28.56 |
| 75th percentile | $38.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50.06 |
| Average (mean) | $34.31 |
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 $28.56 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,142.40.
Musicians and Singers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63.36 | 230 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58.88 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47.84 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44.31 | 40 |
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 |
See Musicians and Singers pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $28.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $18.45 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50.06 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $50.06 an hour. The top 25% earn $38.70 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18.45 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $27.87 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 musicians and singers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.