Musicians and Singers salary in North Carolina
Musicians and Singers in North Carolina earn a median of $57.96 an hour, based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $12.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83.45 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $47.80. North Carolina ranks 2nd of 28 states for musicians and singers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 musicians and singers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65).
Pay range for musicians and singers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $12.50 |
| 25th percentile | $27.86 |
| Median | $57.96 |
| 75th percentile | $63.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83.45 |
| Average (mean) | $50.44 |
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 $57.96 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $2,318.40.
Musicians and Singers salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63.36 | 230 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58.88 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47.84 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44.31 | 40 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $28.56 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Actor | — | $18.83 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $26,540 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $17.30 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $26.30 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median hourly wage for musicians and singers in North Carolina is $57.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $12.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83.45 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid musicians and singers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of musicians and singers in North Carolina earn at least $83.45 an hour. The top 25% earn $63.43 or more.
What is the starting pay for musicians and singers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $12.50 an hour, and a quarter of musicians and singers earn $27.86 or less.
How many musicians and singers work in North Carolina?
About 750 musicians and singers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.