Musicians and singers

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, back-up / session / rehearsal

musician, street
organist / church organist
singer

teacher, music

accompanist
chorister
interpreter, musical
musician, back-up / session / rehearsal
musician, street
organist / church organist

singer
teacher, music

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$56,311

Source: 2017 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2017 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

Source: 2017 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2018 - 2023
2023 - 2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 1,700

2018
2023
2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
29.4%
500 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
70.6%
1,200 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2018:

80

Average annual employment growth:

-1.0%

Expected number of job openings:

10

Kootenay

Employment in 2018:

130

Average annual employment growth:

-0.2%

Expected number of job openings:

20

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2018:

4,710

Average annual employment growth:

0.8%

Expected number of job openings:

1,120

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2018:

100

Average annual employment growth:

0.5%

Expected number of job openings:

30

Northeast

Employment in 2018:

20

Average annual employment growth:

0.6%

Expected number of job openings:

10

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2018:

570

Average annual employment growth:

0.3%

Expected number of job openings:

140

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2018:

1,090

Average annual employment growth:

1.1%

Expected number of job openings:

370

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

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.

Skills

General Learning Ability
Motor Coordination
Detail-Oriented
Social
Verbal & Written Comprehension

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Music Related

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

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

Additional resources

British Columbia Music Educators' Association (BCMEA)
bcmusiced.ca
Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Association (CFMTA)
www.cfmta.org
Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM)
www.cfmusicians.org
Music BC Industry Association
musicbc.org

Musicians and singers (NOC 5133)

About this job

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Special duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Skills

Education programs in B.C.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Music Teacher

Music Teacher

Music Teacher