My Colorado Journey
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Creative Industries

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

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

High school (GED)

Growth 2026–2032

+4%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

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
Making a living as a creative artist requires a mix of skill, ability, and entrepreneurship. Examples are understanding how to get views/downloads/listens on the right platforms and knowing how to get booked in venues.
Find a local program, such as Youth on Record, that supports your interest in creating music.
There are many jobs that are related to supporting creative artists - coordinating events and hospitality, booking acts, managing business, etc.. These mix a love of art with a business mindset.

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

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerMay vary
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

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

  1. Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
  2. Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
  3. Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
  4. Play from memory or by following scores.
  5. Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
  6. Teach music for specific instruments.
Feedback