CFChooseField
Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Musicians and Singers

Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Musicians and Singers
Download graphic

10-year growth

1.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

19,400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

169,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Musicians and Singers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+1,800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Fine Arts
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Foreign Language
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Communications and Media
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Hearing Sensitivity
  4. 4Auditory Attention
  5. 5Memorization
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Conventional
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Self-Confidence
  2. 2Social Orientation
  3. 3Innovation
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Optimism

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Processing Information
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Thinking Creatively
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  3. 3Physical Proximity
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Spend Time Sitting
  6. 6Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Representative tasks

  • Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
  • Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
  • Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
  • Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
  • Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
  • Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
  • Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.
  • Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.

Software and tools

SAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyAcoustica MixcraftTwitterTUBA softwareSnapchatMakeMusic FinaleiZotope OzoneInstagram

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.