Musicians and Singers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Musicians and Singers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $53.16 an hour, based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.08 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131.40 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $47.80. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $53.12. There are 0.23 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average.
Pay range for musicians and singers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $22.00 |
| Median | $53.16 |
| 75th percentile | $82.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131.40 |
| Average (mean) | $59.93 |
Half of musicians and singers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
BLS publishes only hourly pay for this job, because musicians and singers often work irregular hours or short engagements, so a yearly figure would be misleading. At $53.16 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $2,126.40.
Musicians and Singers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $50.00 | 310 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $41.95 | n/a |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $41.56 | 110 |
| Peoria, IL | $39.22 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39.22 | 180 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35.65 | 110 |
| Springfield, IL | $30.84 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for musicians and singers
| State | Median hourly |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $65.46 |
| North Carolina | $57.96 |
| Minnesota | $53.64 |
| Illinois | $53.12 |
| Hawaii | $52.59 |
| Connecticut | $50.75 |
| Virginia | $50.60 |
| Florida | $50.47 |
| Montana | $46.84 |
| Washington | $46.55 |
See Musicians and Singers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Actor | — | $20.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $51,600 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.62 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a musicians and singers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $53.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.08 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131.40 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $131.40 an hour. The top 25% earn $82.08 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.08 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $22.00 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,050 musicians and singers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.