young woman playing a guitar and singing in a recording studio

Musicians and singers

(NOC 51122)
Annual Earnings
$36,973
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
2,490

Career Overview

This group includes musicians, singers and teachers of vocal and instrumental music. Musicians and singers:

  • Perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios

Music teachers:

  • Teach in conservatories, academies and private homes

 

Job Titles

Accompanist
Church organist
Guitar player
Instrumentalist
Musician
Music teacher - musicians
Opera singer
Percussionist
Recording artist
Rock singer
Singer
Vocalist

Duties

Musicians:

  • Play one or more instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group before audiences or for recording purposes

Singers perform the following duties:

  • Sing musical arrangements as soloists or as members of vocal groups before audiences or for recording purposes

Teachers of music or voice:

  • Teach technique, interpretation and music theory to students through private or group lessons

Special duties

Musicians and singers usually specialize in specific types of music such as classical, country, ethnic, jazz, opera or popular music.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$36,973

Provincial Hourly Rate

HighNot available
MedianNot available
LowNot available
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

5,635

% Employed Full Time

14%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work usually takes place in an indoor setting, but can also takes place outdoors in varied weather conditions
  • Workers may be exposed to sounds loud enough to affect hearing

 

Career Pathways

Career path information is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Artistic
Artistic

Education, Training and Skills

  • Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
  • Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
  • Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
  • Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.

 

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Music Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

59%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

56%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

56%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

5,635
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 90 1.6%
Kootenay 130 2.3%
Mainland/Southwest 3,885 68.9%
North Coast and Nechako 45 0.8%
Northeast 15 0.3%
Thompson-Okanagan 420 7.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,055 18.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

2,490
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 30 2.0%
Kootenay 30 -0.3%
Mainland/Southwest 1,690 1.4%
North Coast and Nechako 10 2.1%
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 260 1.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 470 1.5%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Educational Services1,630
Information, Culture and Recreation680
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services60
Retail Trade40
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services30
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources