What Is the Employment Outlook for a Musician?

The employment outlook for a musician is typically challenging. Musicians who play multiple instruments and are skilled in numerous musical styles may have greater opportunities for becoming gainfully employed in this creative field. Many musicians play in a variety of venues to make a living. 

Employment for a musician varies according to skill, geographic location, talent and the availability of opportunities.  Famous musical artists usually have a combination of the right talent and connections to make a living doing what they love.  For the average musician, life may consist of playing in a local band and/or teaching music to survive financially.

Musicians who play multiple instruments have greater flexibility in fitting into various bands and musical styles.  A drummer who can play in a rock band and a jazz band, and switch over to the keyboards when needed will have greater opportunities to fill in for other musicians when they quit or cannot perform.  Given limited jobs for musicians, the more skilled and flexible a musician is, the greater the chances of being hired.

Opportunities for musicians exist in a variety of venues.  Recording artists, concert musicians, nightclub performers and band members are just a few examples.  Teaching and composing music are other opportunities prevalent in schools and private music centers.  For musicians to obtain these positions, they must be highly disciplined, motivated, and sometimes willing to work for lower pay than customary in many other professions.

Given the advances in technology, musicians have more ability to easily distribute their own music, leading to greater chances of marketing their work.  Uploading a new song to a website or emailing a file to a list of fans can instantly market and promote a new song.