Musicians and Singers salary in Illinois
Musicians and Singers in Illinois earn a median of $53.12 an hour, based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.53 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125.95 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $47.80. Illinois ranks 4th of 28 states for musicians and singers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.21 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average.
Pay range for musicians and singers in Illinois
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $21.82 |
| Median | $53.12 |
| 75th percentile | $77.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125.95 |
| Average (mean) | $57.50 |
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 $53.12 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $2,124.80.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $53.16 | 1,050 |
| Peoria, IL | $39.22 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39.22 | 180 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35.65 | 110 |
| Springfield, IL | $30.84 | 50 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Actor | — | $15.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,070 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $19.69 |
| Choreographer | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in Illinois is $53.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.53 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125.95 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in Illinois earn at least $125.95 an hour. The top 25% earn $77.59 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.53 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $21.82 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Illinois?
About 1,300 musicians and singers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.