Careers · Explore one path
Musicians and Singers
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
Other titles employers use
Choir Member · Chorister · Gospel Singer · Musician · Opera Singer · Orchestra Musician · Percussionist · Singer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, persuading and helping work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Fine Arts
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Memorization
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.6 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 2.1 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 3.7 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.0 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 31%
- A four-year degree 29%
- A master's degree 18%
- A doctorate or professional degree 13%
- A certificate or some college 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web page creation and editing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Music or sound editing software
- Instant messaging software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 15,700
- Job openings each year
- 2,080
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 12.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15,700 | 2,080 | 12.1% |
| New York | 10,490 | 110 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 9,640 | 1,260 | 9.2% |
| Minnesota | 8,390 | 1,080 | — |
| Ohio | 7,990 | 1,040 | 4.9% |
| Tennessee | 7,380 | 980 | 15.1% |
| Texas | 5,610 | 740 | 10.2% |
| Illinois | 5,580 | 710 | −1.6% |
| Connecticut | 5,570 | 730 | 11.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,390 | 690 | 1.7% |
| Indiana | 5,010 | 640 | — |
| Arizona | 2,760 | 360 | 9.5% |
| Washington | 2,410 | 350 | 12.1% |
| Maryland | 2,250 | 300 | 8.2% |
| North Carolina | 2,180 | 290 | 11.2% |
| Georgia | 2,010 | 260 | 8.1% |
| Michigan | 1,660 | 210 | −3.5% |
| Oregon | 1,380 | 180 | 17.9% |
| Missouri | 1,330 | 170 | 3.1% |
| Alabama | 1,320 | 170 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | 1,150 | 150 | 3.6% |
| Wisconsin | 1,140 | 150 | 11.8% |
| Virginia | 1,060 | 140 | 8.2% |
| Nevada | 1,050 | 140 | 8.2% |
| South Dakota | 1,020 | 130 | 5.2% |
| South Carolina | 940 | 130 | 17.5% |
| Arkansas | 800 | 100 | 1.3% |
| Colorado | 650 | 80 | 8.3% |
| Nebraska | 560 | 70 | 7.7% |
| New Mexico | 560 | 80 | 40.0% |
| Louisiana | 530 | 70 | 6.0% |
| Kansas | 480 | 60 | 6.7% |
| Rhode Island | 480 | 60 | 4.3% |
| Iowa | 430 | 60 | 7.5% |
| Massachusetts | 430 | 60 | 16.2% |
| North Dakota | 410 | 50 | — |
| Utah | 400 | 50 | 25.0% |
| New Hampshire | 350 | 50 | 2.9% |
| Oklahoma | 330 | 40 | 6.5% |
| Kentucky | 310 | 40 | 3.3% |
| Idaho | 280 | 40 | 12.0% |
| Mississippi | 270 | 40 | 8.0% |
| Montana | 260 | 40 | 8.3% |
| Maine | 110 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| West Virginia | 90 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Berklee College of Music
- Degrees each year
- 694
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $48,000
University of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 282
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Middle Tennessee State University
- Degrees each year
- 177
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 173
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Rochester
- Degrees each year
- 140
- Admit rate
- 36%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Oberlin College
- Degrees each year
- 154
- Admit rate
- 33%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 508
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
The New School
- Degrees each year
- 181
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $56,000