How to become a Musician or Singer
Official title: Musicians and Singers
Also called: Chorister, Drummer, Musician, Opera Singer, Orchestra Musician, Percussionist, Performer, Singer, Violinist, Vocalist
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
Main tasks
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Practice performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
- Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.
- Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording.
How to become one
Musicians and singers typically do not need formal postsecondary education to enter the occupation. However, those pursuing careers in some genres, such as classical or opera, may choose to earn a bachelor's or higher degree. Musicians and singers need extensive training and regular practice to acquire their skills.
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Musician.
- College: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 32 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 170,400 people work in this job now, and about 170,900 are projected by 2035. (+0.3%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Music Directors and Composers
- Coaches and Scouts
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Actors
- Producers and Directors
- Dancers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Musician or Singer?
Musicians and singers typically do not need formal postsecondary education to enter the occupation. However, those pursuing careers in some genres, such as classical or opera, may choose to earn a bachelor's or higher degree. Musicians and singers need extensive training and regular practice to acquire their skills.
Is a Musician or Singer a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 170,400 people now and 170,900 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Musician or Singer?
Usually. 60% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Musician or Singer?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.