Musicians and Singers salary in Iowa
Musicians and Singers in Iowa earn a median of $35.65 an hour, based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $16.73 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129.17 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $47.80. Iowa ranks 21st of 28 states for musicians and singers pay. There are 0.16 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70).
Pay range for musicians and singers in Iowa
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16.73 |
| 25th percentile | $22.49 |
| Median | $35.65 |
| 75th percentile | $64.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129.17 |
| Average (mean) | $57.32 |
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 $35.65 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,426.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35.65 | 110 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $43,040 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $10.00 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in Iowa is $35.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $16.73 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129.17 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in Iowa earn at least $129.17 an hour. The top 25% earn $64.09 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16.73 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $22.49 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Iowa?
About 250 musicians and singers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.