Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists Salary PercentilesNational Data — BLS OES 2024
Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists salaries align broadly with the national workforce average, with a median annual wage of $50,000 placing this occupation at the 50th percentile of all US workers. This puts Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists within 1% of the all-occupation national median of $49,500. Earnings span from $25,000 at the entry level to $123,000 for top earners — a $98,000 spread that reflects the impact of experience, specialization, and geography. Workers between the 25th and 75th percentile earn $35,000 to $80,000 annually. The mean wage of $68,200 is 36% above the median, indicating a right-skewed distribution where high earners pull the average upward.
Key Salary Insights — Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists
- ✓Median salary of $50,000 — 1% above the national median of $49,500 across all occupations
- ✓Salary range spans $25,000 to $123,000 — a $98,000 difference between entry-level and top earners
- ✓Workers at the 75th percentile earn $80,000 or more annually
Calculate Your Percentile — Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists
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Frequently Asked Questions
A salary percentile tells you what percentage of workers in a given occupation earn less than you. For example, if you're at the 70th percentile, you earn more than 70% of workers in that field. It's a more useful benchmark than a simple average because it shows where you stand across the full distribution of wages.
We use linear interpolation between the BLS wage anchor points (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles) to estimate your exact percentile rank. State figures are derived by applying BLS regional wage indices to the national data. For salaries below the 10th or above the 90th percentile, we flag this clearly rather than extrapolating an unreliable estimate.
All data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program, May 2024 release. This is the most comprehensive, official source of US occupational wage data, covering over 800 occupations and nearly every industry. We cover 116 occupation groups across all 50 states and Washington D.C.
If you're below the median (50th percentile) for your occupation in your state, you have a data-backed argument for a raise. Come prepared with your percentile result and the BLS benchmark figures from the table below the gauge. Framing your ask around official government data — rather than salary sites — is often more persuasive to employers and hiring managers.
According to BLS OES May 2024 data, the median annual wage across all occupations in the United States is approximately $49,500. However, this varies enormously by occupation — from around $30,000 for food preparation workers to over $236,000 for physicians and surgeons. That's why comparing within your specific occupation is far more meaningful than a national cross-occupation average.
Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists — National Salary Benchmarks (2024)
| 10th percentile | $25,000 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $50,000 |
| Mean (average) | $68,200 |
| 75th percentile | $80,000 |
| 90th percentile | $123,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024.
Top 5 Highest-Paying States for Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists
Top paying states for Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists include District of Columbia ($69,000), California ($63,000), and Massachusetts ($61,000) — all significantly above the national median of $50,000 for this occupation. New York ($59,500) and Connecticut ($59,000) round out the five highest-paying states.
Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists Salary by State (2024)
| State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $69,000 | +38.0% |
| California | $63,000 | +26.0% |
| Massachusetts | $61,000 | +22.0% |
| New York | $59,500 | +19.0% |
| Connecticut | $59,000 | +18.0% |
| New Jersey | $59,000 | +18.0% |
| Hawaii | $58,500 | +17.0% |
| Washington | $57,000 | +14.0% |
| Maryland | $56,000 | +12.0% |
| Colorado | $54,500 | +9.0% |
| Alaska | $54,000 | +8.0% |
| New Hampshire | $53,500 | +7.0% |
| Oregon | $53,000 | +6.0% |
| Rhode Island | $53,000 | +6.0% |
| Illinois | $52,500 | +5.0% |
| Virginia | $52,500 | +5.0% |
| Delaware | $52,000 | +4.0% |
| Minnesota | $51,500 | +3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $50,000 | +0.0% |
| Nevada | $49,500 | -1.0% |
| Vermont | $49,500 | -1.0% |
| Arizona | $48,500 | -3.0% |
| Florida | $48,500 | -3.0% |
| Texas | $48,500 | -3.0% |
| Utah | $48,000 | -4.0% |
| Wyoming | $48,000 | -4.0% |
| Georgia | $47,500 | -5.0% |
| Wisconsin | $47,500 | -5.0% |
| Maine | $46,500 | -7.0% |
| Michigan | $46,500 | -7.0% |
| North Dakota | $46,500 | -7.0% |
| Nebraska | $45,500 | -9.0% |
| North Carolina | $45,500 | -9.0% |
| Ohio | $45,500 | -9.0% |
| Iowa | $45,000 | -10.0% |
| Indiana | $44,500 | -11.0% |
| Kansas | $44,500 | -11.0% |
| Missouri | $44,500 | -11.0% |
| Idaho | $44,000 | -12.0% |
| Montana | $44,000 | -12.0% |
| New Mexico | $44,000 | -12.0% |
| South Carolina | $44,000 | -12.0% |
| Tennessee | $44,000 | -12.0% |
| Louisiana | $43,500 | -13.0% |
| South Dakota | $43,500 | -13.0% |
| Kentucky | $43,000 | -14.0% |
| Oklahoma | $42,500 | -15.0% |
| Alabama | $42,000 | -16.0% |
| Arkansas | $41,000 | -18.0% |
| West Virginia | $41,000 | -18.0% |
| Mississippi | $40,500 | -19.0% |
Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists Salary — FAQ
According to BLS OES May 2024 data, the median annual wage for Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists in the United States is $50,000. The mean (average) salary is $68,200, which is higher than the median — high earners at the top of the distribution pull the average upward. Half of all Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists earn more than $50,000 and half earn less.
At a median of $50,000, Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists pays above the national median of $49,500 for all occupations. Workers in this field rank at the 50th percentile of all US workers nationally, meaning 50% of all employed Americans earn less. The top 10% of Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists earn over $123,000, making this a strong career choice for those who reach senior levels.
District of Columbia offers the highest salaries for Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists, with a median of $69,000 — +38.0% compared to the national median of $50,000 for this occupation. California ($63,000) and Massachusetts ($61,000) also rank among the top-paying states. Geographic variation in Musicians, Actors & Performing Artists salaries reflects regional differences in industry concentration, cost of living, and local labor market competition.