Musicians and Singers pay in California
In California, the median pay for musicians and singers is $43.83 an hour ($91,166 a year). About 6,840 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($99,424). California ranks 13th of 28 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for musicians and singers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $21.61 | $44,949 |
| 25% of workers | $28.23 | $58,718 |
| Half of workers (median) | $43.83 | $91,166 |
| 75% of workers | $75.32 | $156,666 |
| 90% of workers | $123.63 | $257,150 |
Musicians and Singers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $157,560 | 970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $110,573 | 3,230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $106,787 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $106,350 | 370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $102,856 | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $94,536 | 190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $84,053 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $80,350 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $78,832 | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $73,154 | 50 |
| Vallejo | $70,408 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $68,890 | 170 |
| Fresno | $58,698 | 60 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for musicians and singers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 17,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,410 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $78,150 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $93,090 |
| Dancers | $45,323 |
| Therapists, All Other | $81,760 |
| Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners | $47,580 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.