Being a live musician is a dream for many, but how much money can you actually make as a typical live music performer? While some musicians do achieve fame and fortune, this article is going to focus on a more typical career that does not involve becoming famous or the income that can come from fame.

The average live musician in Austin, according to a 2024 study conducted by Austin Music Love, makes about $19,453.91 per year. That number is based on the mean average of asking musicians how much money they would take home in a year if they played 150 gigs (3 times per week). If you take only the responses of the 15% of survey responders who said they are full time musicians, that number goes up to $31,146.67. You can read details on that study here.

Depending on what type of live music you are performing, your milage may very greatly. To get a more clear picture of how much money you can make as a musician here are some of the main categories of live music performance and how much money can be made with each one.

How Much Can You Make Playing Wedding Gigs?

Wedding gigs can be among the most lucrative opportunities for musicians. Depending on your experience and the type of ensemble you form, earnings can range from $500 to $3,000 for a single event. For established bands or solo artists with a strong reputation, the pay can go far higher, particularly if you include additional services like cocktail hours or special requests.

Based on a study done on Austin, TX musicians, the mean average pay for a wedding band gig is $2220.17 with the lowest survey response being $200 and the highest being $27,500.

Weddings often require musicians to learn specific songs or arrangements, which can be a significant investment of time. However, the financial rewards can make it worthwhile, as weddings typically have larger budgets than bar gigs or local performances.

How Much Can You Make Playing Live as a Band?

Playing live as a band typically yields a diverse range of income, influenced by factors like location, genre, and the size of the venue. On average, bands might earn between $100 to $2,500 per gig. Smaller local venues may pay closer to the lower end, while larger festivals and events can command much higher fees.

Based on a study done on Austin, TX musicians, the mean average pay for a band playing 3 hours at a bar or club in Austin, Texas is $502.33 with the lowest survey response being $60 and the highest being $7,500.

Many bands also benefit from merchandise sales at gigs, which can significantly boost overall earnings. As you gain recognition and build a fan base, the potential for higher pay increases, especially if you start to tour.

How Much Can You Make Playing Live as a Solo Musician?

Solo musicians often earn less per gig than bands, typically making between $50 to $500, depending on the venue and audience size. However, the advantages of being a solo act include fewer people to split the earnings with and more flexibility in booking gigs. Because of this, playing solo is typically far more profitable for musicians.

Based on a study done on Austin, TX musicians, the mean average pay for a solo artist playing 3 hours at a bar or club in Austin, Texas is $227.69 with the lowest survey response being $50 and the highest being $500.

Many solo musicians supplement their income by performing at multiple events or venues in a week, leveraging platforms like social media to promote their work and reach a broader audience. This adaptability can help maximize earnings over time.

How Much Can You Make as a Touring Live Musician?

Touring musicians often see significant income potential, but it comes with its own challenges and expenses. Depending on the scale of the tour, earnings can vary widely. Smaller bands might earn a few hundred dollars per show, while well-known artists can command thousands per performance, especially at major venues or festivals.

Nashville studio musician Nicky V describes typical pay for touring musicians in this youtube video. He says that a typical legacy 90’s act pays musicians $300-$500 each per show. While some of the bigger acts will pay closer to $1500 per show. Then the early 2000’s acts pay about $450-$800 per day. And the modern acts pay more like $150-$250 per day. I highly recommend you check out that video to learn his insights on why each era pays differently.

I also recommend you check out this video where Sam Gutman shares his experience making money as a musician in general but also as a touring musician on a big tour.

Touring also opens up additional revenue streams, such as merchandise sales, which can contribute significantly to overall income. Successful touring musicians can achieve financial stability, but it requires careful planning to make sure you are not overrun with expenses and marketing to build and maintain a loyal fan base.

Cover Gig Pay vs. Original Music Pay

When it comes to gig earnings, there’s a notable difference between playing cover songs and performing original music. Weddings for example are among the highest paying gigs and almost exclusively involve playing lots of covers. Cover gigs generally pay better due to their broad appeal. Venues looking for crowd-pleasers who can consistently keep people dancing and drinking tend to prefer cover bands, resulting in higher fees.

On the other hand, original music gigs can be more challenging in terms of pay. It is much more common for shows involving purely original music sets to be door deals or bar deals meaning pay is based on how many people actually come to the show. However, performing original music can lead to valuable exposure and the potential for future opportunities, such as record deals or festival bookings and as a result many artists see them as valuable in spite of the lower pay.

Conclusion

While it is well known that musicians who have not “made it big” don’t pull in huge amounts of money, if you understand where there is money to be made, you can still earn a good living. While if you want to focus on the types of live performances that don’t make as much, you may not be able to make a living at all.

By John Filippone