About

The Website for Working Musicians MusicianWages.com is a website all about musicians. Not how to be a musician, but how to make a living as a musician. There are many resources about the music business, but this website is about the musician business – for those who create the music. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were nearly 170,000 musicians employed just in the United States between 2003 and 2005, and throughout the rest of the world there are many, many times that number.

If you are one of these musicians, this is your website.

Professional musicians face the same problems as small business owners and entrepreneurs. How much should I charge? Where can I sell my products? How can I better manage my time? Am I missing opportunities to expand my business? MusicianWages.com was created to foster these discussions between fellow musicians.

The site’s founders–one a union sideman for regional theaters and tours, the other a freelance guitarist in New York City–have two distinctly different careers in music. While they have been developing their careers, they watched as their friends did the same in equally unique fashion. There are likely as many ways to make money as a musician as there are musicians. Ultimately, everyone wants to ask one question:

How do you make a living as a musician?

This website collects stories and tips from a variety of professionals, based on their first hand experience in the musician business. For example, visit The Working Musician blog for practical discussions on making a living as a musician. To find personal accounts and profiles of different musicians, visit the My Job blog. The Chronicles Of A Cruise Ship Musician blog is required reading for anyone considering a cruise ship gig. There are also forums to host discussions important to musicians.

We hope you’ll find the website helpful. If there are any topics you’d like us to explore, or you would like to contribute an article, please contact webmaster [at] musicianwages [dot] com.

What Are Musicians Saying About MusicianWages.com?

“I love this website and your newsletter. Thank you for providing such a great resource!” ~ Elyse Miller, songwriter

“You guys always publish amazing articles.” – Rick Goetz, MusicianCoaching.com

“Great blog!” ~ Derek Sivers, Founder of CDBaby

“I’m glad I discovered this great resource.” ~ James W. Doyle, percussionist

“I applaud what you’re doing here. Great information and helpful insights.” ~ Tee Dee, singer

“Good, thorough, practical and well-written.” ~ Tess Taylor, National Association of Record Industry Professionals

“This site is great resource!” ~ Sean Paul Duke, drummer

“I love your website, because it’s so well written and it applies to my situation so much more than many other websites out there.” ~ Geraldine Boyer-Cussac, pianist