How to become a performer
Official title: Other performers
Also called: Thrill performer, Stunt performer - entertainer, Busker, Mascot, Magician, Puppeteer, Influencer, Look-alike, Nude dancer, Stunt rider, Turntablist, Face painter
Other performers include influencers, magicians, models, puppeteers and other performers. They are employed by nightclubs and theatre, advertising and other production companies, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Buskers
- Entertain passers-by on sidewalks and in parks with magic tricks, juggling acts, short dramatic works, music and other entertaining displays
- Magicians and illusionists
- Perform sleight-of-hand tricks, disappearing acts and other illusions
- Fashion models
- Display clothing and merchandise in commercials, advertisements and fashion shows
- Pose for artists, photographers and videographers
- Influencers
How to become one
Completion of modelling courses is usually required for models. Training for other occupations in this unit group is often obtained under the guidance of a practitioner. Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type or performance may be required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $55,536 a year The middle half earn $39,975 to $77,883.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a performer?
Completion of modelling courses is usually required for models. Training for other occupations in this unit group is often obtained under the guidance of a practitioner. Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type or performance may be required.
How much does a performer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $55,536 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $39,975 to $77,883.
Do you need a degree to become a performer?
Usually not. Only 24% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03