Annual Salary
variable
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Performing arts or Games or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Performing arts or Games or go back to all job sectors
Pop musicians perform and record different styles of music.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; as customers demand
There will be
0.5% more Pop musician jobs in 2027.
Your daily tasks may include:
You could work in a theatre, at a recording studio or at a music venue.
Your working environment may be physically demanding.
You can get into this job through:
You'll need a high level of musical skill and talent. To develop these skills, you could get a degree or postgraduate award in:
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:
It's important to get plenty of practical experience by performing and doing gigs. You could also get yourself noticed by entering talent competitions and attending festivals.
This can help you meet people in the music industry and make useful contacts.
Many musicians teach themselves and 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 instruments like:
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Rockschool offer qualifications and graded music exams.
The BBC Introducing programme could be a way to get your music heard on the radio, if you are an unsigned musician.
You can also showcase your music on networking websites, social media, music blogs or send a demo to recording companies. The Musicians' Union has more details on how to promote yourself.
You could join the Musicians' Union or the Incorporated Society of Musicians for access to training, events and networking opportunities.
You can get more information on working in music and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
With experience you could go into the business side of music as a manager, producer, writer or working for a record company.
You can find out more about careers in music from Creative Choices.
You'll need: