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Musicians and singers (NOC 5133)

High opportunity occupation
Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

This group includes musicians, singers and teachers of vocal and instrumental music. Musicians and singers:

  • perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios

Music teachers:

  • teach in conservatories, academies and private homes
Common job titles
  • accompanist
  • chorister
  • interpreter, musical
  • musician, street
  • organist / church organist
  • singer
  • accompanist
  • chorister
  • interpreter, musical
  • musician, back-up / session / rehearsal
  • musician, street
  • organist / church organist

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$19,515

Source: Full-time, full-year median employment income, 2016 census

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

N/A - Data not available

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2021-2031)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2021 - 2026
  • 2026 - 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 3,640

  • 2022
  • 2026
  • 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
59.2%
2,160 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
40.8%
1,490 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2021:
50
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.5%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
20
Kootenay
Employment in 2021:
60
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
3.4%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
40
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2021:
4,980
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
2.5%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
2,450
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2021:
80
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
2.3%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
30
Northeast
Employment in 2021:
20
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
5.5%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
20
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2021:
420
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
3.6%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
340
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2021:
1,160
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
3.1%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
740

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Musicians:

  • play one or more instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group before audiences or for recording purposes

Singers perform the following duties:

  • sing musical arrangements as soloists or as members of vocal groups before audiences or for recording purposes

Teachers of music or voice:

  • teach technique, interpretation and music theory to students through private or group lessons

Special duties

Musicians and singers usually specialize in specific types of music such as classical, country, ethnic, jazz, opera or popular music.

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work usually takes place in an indoor setting, but can also takes place outdoors in varied weather conditions.
  • Workers may be exposed to sounds loud enough to affect hearing.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

5,700 workers are employed
14% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Educational Services:
57%
Information, Culture and Recreation:
34%
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services:
3%
Retail Trade:
1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
1%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

At this time, career path information is not available for this occupation.

Additional resources

Profile last updated:
May 25, 2022
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