Musicians and Singers salary in Massachusetts
Musicians and Singers in Massachusetts earn a median of $38.92 an hour, based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $19.21 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131.62 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $47.80. Massachusetts ranks 17th of 28 states for musicians and singers pay. There are 0.19 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80).
Pay range for musicians and singers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19.21 |
| 25th percentile | $27.97 |
| Median | $38.92 |
| 75th percentile | $63.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131.62 |
| Average (mean) | $53.75 |
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 $38.92 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,556.80.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $38.18 | 540 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $48,400 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $16.61 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Art Director | $149,320 | $71.79 |
| Technical Writer | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,260 | $40.99 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in Massachusetts is $38.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $19.21 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131.62 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in Massachusetts earn at least $131.62 an hour. The top 25% earn $63.19 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19.21 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $27.97 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Massachusetts?
About 680 musicians and singers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.