Annual Salary
variable
Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)
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Musicians create or perform different types of music, from classical to pop and rock.
Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
There will be
0.5% more Musician jobs in 2027.
In your day-to-day duties you may:
You could work in a theatre, at a music venue or at a recording studio.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
You can get into this job through:
Whatever your musical genre, you'll need a high level of musical skill and talent. Though you do not need a degree for all forms of music, in some fields it is expected, for example classical music.
You could study for a degree or postgraduate award in:
You could do this at a university or a conservatoire. You'll usually specialise in one main instrument and study a second instrument.
Some music degrees focus more on music theory than performance, so research the courses carefully to make sure they're right for you.
At audition you'll usually be asked to perform several pieces of music of different styles. You'll also need to talk at your interview about your your artistic influences and your musical career aims.
You'll usually need:
You could take a college course to get professional training and the opportunity to perform. Subjects available include:
You may need to pass an audition to get on to some courses.
You'll usually need:
Enter talent competitions, music festivals and events to get yourself known.
For example, the BBC runs an annual competition for 12 to 18 year olds across the UK who create their own original music.
You may be lucky and get talent spotted. You could increase your chances by showcasing your music on:
The Musicians' Union has more details on how to promote yourself.
The BBC Introducing programme could be a way to get your music heard on the radio, if you're an unsigned musician.
Many musicians teach themselves. Some start learning an instrument from an early age. This might be with a private music teacher or training provider.
You can take graded music exams in lots of types of instruments including:
Find out more about graded music exams from:
Armed forces careers
There are opportunities to train as a musician in the armed forces.
Find out more from the:
Get as much experience as you can of performing in public.
You could do this byjoining a youth or community orchestra; staging your own events; entering competitions
You could join the Musicians' Union or the Independent Society of Musicians to access training, events and networking opportunities.
You can get more advice about working in music from the Independent Society of Musicians.
You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
Many musicians are self-employed freelancers and often have to do other jobs alongside their career as a musician.
With experience, you could:progress in an orchestra to principal player or section leader; move into conducting; start your own ensemble; go into business roles like manager, producer, writer or work at a record company; become a singing teacher, vocal coach or teach your musical instrument; get into academic research
You'll need: