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for the pros: what do you make a year?


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I'll just say that I make:

* My salary as a public school music teacher

* Money from club and function gigs ~4-5x/month

* Money from subbing in churches ~2x/month

 

And I have no problem finding deductions (mileage, equipment, etc.) that make it seem like my gigging money is a negative figure. I usually stop with the deductions before it becomes negative to keep the IRS happy. If you present a negative figure too many years in a row they deem your trade as a "hobby" and you can no longer deduct expenses!

 

Thank goodness I buy, fix, and flip old BMWs or I'd have no disposable income at all!

Muzikteechur is Lonnie, in Kittery, Maine.

 

HS music teacher: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Rock, Musical Theatre, Piano, Guitar, Drama.

 

 

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Anyone who has figured out how to make a decent living playing music will automatically get my wholehearted admiration and respect.

 

Yeah it's been tough lately.

 

I had to sell the Ferrari, private jet and my second yacht!

 

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When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray.
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Geez, you guys are doing great. I lose about $6K US making music every year. Haven't figured out the last FY though. There is always hope!!

Hammond: L111, M100, M3, BC, CV, Franken CV, A100, D152, C3, B3

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Most of the people I know who are trying to be full timers are spread out all over the place- teaching private lessons, gigs, sessions. None of them are doing nothing but gigs to make ends meet.

 

I'm a part timer. A few gigs a month that basically pay for my beer and gear. I'm in 3 regular bands and freelance with some blues bands and also do some session work when the opportunity arises.

 

I like having a decent house, a reliable car, and toys like a motorcycle too much to try and be full time as a player.

Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1

Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6

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Back before I took my day gig, I was making between 16-24k a year as music director for theatre. The variance was just about the fact that none of the theaters I worked for had an in house MD or band, so one year I might get gigs at all the organizations I had relationships with, and other years I might get none of the variable gigs. I definitely substituted with occasional other part-time work.

 

These days, while I also make more miney than that with my day job, the biggest benefit is, well, the benefits. Health insurance for me and my wife, 401k matching and some other small benefits probably equal the value of my old income. And, I get the same amount of money every two weeks, all year long, even if I go on vacation.

 

I dont know if thats the kind of data point the OP is looking for, but there you go.

 

Im in the process of trying to get out from being behind the desk so much and back into the arts/theater/education world, but as I get older its harder to find ways to create the kind of stability that I need as I become an old man with a family.

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I understand why no one wants to volunteer their personal income, but I admit I am curious to know in general what different "levels" of musicians manage to earn. And I assume that's what the OP really is asking (rather than find out any individual's income).

 

Here are some examples of ways I think this type of question could have reasonably been formulated:

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if working in a pit orchestra on a Broadway show for a full year?

 

or

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if touring with an established pop act?

 

Or

 

What could a jazz musician expect to earn per gig at a landmark-type jazz club (like the Vanguard, or Jazz Standard in NYC)?

 

or

 

What can a musician expect to earn if can teach, say, 20 hours a week?

 

Even these questions, though, are subject to countless variables, so it is hard to assess. But if I were someone contemplating whether I could support myself playing music -- which I am definitely not -- then I would be asking these types of questions of friends (if not on a public forum).

 

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I understand why no one wants to volunteer their personal income, but I admit I am curious to know in general what different "levels" of musicians manage to earn. And I assume that's what the OP really is asking (rather than find out any individual's income).

 

Here are some examples of ways I think this type of question could have reasonably been formulated:

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if working in a pit orchestra on a Broadway show for a full year?

 

or

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if touring with an established pop act?

 

Or

 

What could a jazz musician expect to earn per gig at a landmark-type jazz club (like the Vanguard, or Jazz Standard in NYC)?

 

or

 

What can a musician expect to earn if can teach, say, 20 hours a week?

 

Even these questions, though, are subject to countless variables, so it is hard to assess. But if I were someone contemplating whether I could support myself playing music -- which I am definitely not -- then I would be asking these types of questions of friends (if not on a public forum).

 

Yes, a survey or even the real life stuff posted above is nearly impossible to get a fair gauge.

 

Circumstances and costs and market area dynamics are considerably different. Compare Fayettevile Arkanasa to SF Bay area. Night and day.

 

Its that bigger picture thing.

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

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A little history lesson. Back in the 70's I was a full time player in a local cover band about 25 years old and I remember making about $8,500.00. We played probably 80- 120 or so shows a year. In todays money that equals about $37,500. That equates to about $312-$440 per show. I know many musicians that work for $100-$150 a show and work 3-5 days a week with basically cover bands. I know of folks who tour with national acts that in years past made $500 a show. Unfortunately there are not many of those national acts gigs out there. Maybe this will help.

 

The sad part is some musicians are still playing for what we made in the 70's.

Definition of a musician:

One who carries $3000 worth of gear to a $100 gig in a $500 car!!!

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

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Most of the people I know who are trying to be full timers are spread out all over the place- teaching private lessons, gigs, sessions. None of them are doing nothing but gigs to make ends meet.

 

Yeah, I'm all over the map trying to survive. I can well relate to Steve Nathan's comment from earlier; half the income now, vs previous earnings, is pretty accurate. Since the mid 1990's I've taught privately, covered various church jobs - directing and/or playing - and gigged with bands, etc. Used to do a fair amount of session work, but mostly at the 2nd call level - some commercials, and a lot of local albums/demos. Now a lot of the 1st call players are covering what's left; so other than a couple of 'Air Gigs' recordings, there's been nothing much in the past decade.

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I understand why no one wants to volunteer their personal income, but I admit I am curious to know in general what different "levels" of musicians manage to earn. And I assume that's what the OP really is asking (rather than find out any individual's income).

 

Here are some examples of ways I think this type of question could have reasonably been formulated:

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if working in a pit orchestra on a Broadway show for a full year?

 

or

 

What could a musician expect to earn per year if touring with an established pop act?

 

Or

 

What could a jazz musician expect to earn per gig at a landmark-type jazz club (like the Vanguard, or Jazz Standard in NYC)?

 

or

 

What can a musician expect to earn if can teach, say, 20 hours a week?

 

Even these questions, though, are subject to countless variables, so it is hard to assess. But if I were someone contemplating whether I could support myself playing music -- which I am definitely not -- then I would be asking these types of questions of friends (if not on a public forum).

 

Yes, good questions!

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Ive read that more people should share their financial info, it kicks the system's butt in gear, people are more likely to step up and ask for what theyre worth. So I applaud the question! That said, I dont blame anyone for not wanting to divulge.

 

Anyway, I only made $10K last year from gigging, but made $65K doing my sound design work (which is basically my 9-5).

 

Guitarist in my band does it as his full time, and plays all the other nights of the week in a lower end weekday band (less pay, more nights). He eeks it out, but he lives in a family house thats all bought and paid for, and barely spends any. Singer does it full time too, but he stretches the definition of makes it work.

Puck Funk! :)

 

Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat?

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A crowbar is a mean thing to do to a perfectly good macbook.

 

you know what else is a mean thing to do? Call someone a troll who was only trying to generate an interesting discussion on a relevant topic.

 

Thanks to everyone who answered candidly. For the record, I job all the same gigs that everyone here does. I got lucky and landed a full time position in a major touring act. Been going on ten plus years. That gig will go one day, and when it does, Ill have to figure out how to live off regular jobs/teaching.

 

Grass is not always greener. The road cost me a marriage, and I already had a kid when I got the gig. Didint lose my marriage from banging groupies or becoming an addict, or any of those cliches. The one who had to stay at home just got fed up being alone. Day job and stable family life with a great hobby is a pretty amazing combo. Good on to those who have that combo going and appreciate how great it is. Dont ever lose sight of that.

 

Outkaster- its not a dumb thread. Youve admitted you hate your day job and play music to survive it. Its easier to find a less hateful day job than it is to get the dream gig, and if my experience counts for anything, even if you land the dream gig, the dream comes at a very real cost.

 

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to respond in a constructive manner.

 

p.s. with my support payments, my take home income is half of what I stated in my OP.

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When it comes to cover band gigs, there's a big difference between what you CAN make vs what you're LIKELY to make.

 

Around here there are a handful of bands that do well, a much larger group that do OK, and the rest that don't make much at all.

 

To put it in perspective, I played in an 80s tribute when 80s had just made their comeback and it was very popular. Playing bars on Fridays and Saturdays netted us each about $40k/yr. We were one of the highest paid bands in terms of bar pay. There were a few others making about the same. But probably the highest paid band at the time also travelled and had regular gigs in vegas as well as a lot of corporate stuff. The guy that ran that band hired side men at a flat rate for the musicians and pocketed the rest. I happen to know at the time he was pulling 6 figures. Most of the other bands playing the same bars we did were pulling anywhere from $150-$300/man depending on the band, so you can do the math. If you can get into a popular wedding band, you can get paid well per night, but weddings tend to be Saturdays, so you have to fill in the rest of your time with something else. And of course, New Years Eve is a cash cow. I remember one year we had a weekend (Fri/Sat) already booked at a Casino. NYE was the Monday after and we managed to land that gig at a pretty nice rate. Since we were already there the weekend before, we made a deal to play Sunday as well at a reduced rate. So we ended up playing Fri-Mon....One Setup, One Teardown, for $13,500. After booking agent, putting a little in band savings, and splitting 5 ways, we each walked with $2400.....that's a good weekend! But again - it just worked out that way. Can't count on that every year. You have to be constantly hustling to find and book those opportunities and when they fall through you have to find a way to make ends meet.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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I make $200,000 a year playing music. I'm 36 and I have a hot girlfriend ... no, 2 hot girlfriends ... yeah, that's it ... and, uh, a big house in the country... and, uh, a cool apartment in the city ... oh yeah, and my own recording studio where lots of famous musicians have recorded. Yeah, that's me

 

23spvr.jpg

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Why did you change your name from Paughrock?

 

I didint like some of things I said when I had that name, so I was going for a fresh start. Who doesnt like fresh doughnuts? ;)

 

I prefer lox and cream cheese on a multi grain bagel

 

Can you arrange to deliver that ?

 

The real thing , not a photo.

 

FYI, I haven't made income from being in a band in 47,000 years.

 

Thank you !

 

:D

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

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I really enjoyed your winery in Sonoma.

 

And the babes at your new album release party at Tahoe ? Unforgettable.

Yeah, the winery ... that's mine too. Yeah, that's the ticket. And those babes at the party in Tahoe? They were outtasight, weren't they? Yeah, that's my life. And next month is the European tour ... yeah, that's what I'm doin'.

 

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

They sportin' short dresses, wearin' spike-heel shoes

They smokin' Lucky Strikes, and wearing nylons too

'Cause we bad, we nationwide

Yeah we bad, we nationwide

 

[video:youtube]

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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It's been brought to my attention that my attempts at humor in this thread may not be understood or appreciated. I'm sorry if others are bothered by my posts. I think of this forum as a bunch of musos sitting around having a beer in the pub, maybe some pretzels, and talking about whatever interests them. For reasons I don't even understand, this thread inspired me to think of myself as Jon Lovitz, the Pathological Liar, and carry on about my nonexistent career and income playing music. I have nothing serious to contribute here so I'll just excuse myself and go on down the road to my little cottage by the sea. Now back to your regularly scheduled thread ...
These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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I'll just excuse myself and go on down the road to my little cottage by the sea.

 

I thought you lived in a van down by the river.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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