Musician / Singer
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
Annual openings
423
BLS median wage
n/a
Typical education
High school (GED)
10-year growth
+4%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
High school (GED)
Credential requirement
No certification is required or expected for this job.
Work experience
No previous work experience is required, though work experience/internship/education building the skills needed to become a professional musician is expected.
Work-based learning
No information available
Employer competency information
Feedback from artists identifies the following competencies as being critical to success
- Creativity — The ability to turn an idea into music
- Entrepreneurship — How to earn a living from your passion and creating a good business plan
- Marketing — The ability to promote the music to listeners and club owners
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Arts, Design, and Entertainment
- Music and Performance
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- 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.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
- Teach music for specific instruments.