Musicians and Singers salary in Virginia
Musicians and Singers in Virginia earn a median of $50.60 an hour, based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $20.60 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85.76 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $47.80. Virginia ranks 7th of 28 states for musicians and singers pay. There are 0.10 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42).
Pay range for musicians and singers in Virginia
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20.60 |
| 25th percentile | $25.00 |
| Median | $50.60 |
| 75th percentile | $54.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85.76 |
| Average (mean) | $49.86 |
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 $50.60 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $2,024.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $64.25 | 410 |
| Richmond, VA | $54.98 | n/a |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47.84 | 70 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,840 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $16.98 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $61,500 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in Virginia is $50.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $20.60 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85.76 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in Virginia earn at least $85.76 an hour. The top 25% earn $54.98 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20.60 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $25.00 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Virginia?
About 400 musicians and singers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.