How Do Orchestra Musicians Get Paid?

Orchestra musicians, like any other professional musicians, are paid for their performances either in-house, in opera, or at public events, but the pay might differ according to their contracts and other agreements.

Orchestra musicians, upon being hired, typically get paid differently, including salaried employment, per-service fees, union agreements, experience and log hours, and commission or percentage-based pay.

Their pay structure can be influenced by factors of the orchestra’s size, the type of music performed, and the orchestra’s reputation and its musicians as well

Read on to learn the different ways in which orchestral musicians are paid.

Ways Orchestra Musicians Get Paid

The specifics of the pay and benefits offered to orchestra musicians can vary widely, depending on the orchestra, the type of performance, and the location.

Did you know the average orchestra musician makes $69,868 yearly, with about 1,224 symphony orchestras available around the U.S.?

Let us check the different ways orchestra musicians get paid.

1. Salaried Employment

Many orchestra musicians are salaried employees and are paid a fixed annual or weekly wage. They employ all the musicians in the collective bargaining agreement at a minimum weekly salary.

Did you know the average hourly wage for an orchestra musician is $48.64?

This salary is usually paid regularly, such as bi-weekly or monthly, with over 50 weeks of performing per season a year.

Salaried musicians usually are employed and paid up to 52 weeks per year, while some salary orchestras use musicians for as few as 21 weeks per season.

It is also common for salary-based musicians to receive health care and retirement benefits.

The salary may vary depending on the orchestra, the level of experience of the musician, and the type of instrument they play.

2. Per-Service Fees

Per service fee is where orchestras pay musicians for each performance or rehearsal rather than being paid a salary.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hourly median wage for singers and musicians in May 2021 was $30.49.

For instance, if a musician in an orchestra is hired on a per-service basis for a week but not employed the following week, they are only compensated for the first week of work.

The fee is usually negotiated between the musician and the orchestra and can range from a few hundred dollars per performance to several thousand dollars.

· It may vary based on factors such as the length and type of performance, the size of the orchestra, and the musician’s experience and seniority.

· This payment structure can provide flexibility and independence for musicians, as they can choose which performance opportunities they participate in and control their schedules to a certain extent.

· It allows musicians to earn money for each performance they participate in.

· Some per-service orchestras offer benefits, while others do not.

However, it also means that musicians may have to hustle for work, and their income may fluctuate from one performance to the next.

Under this agreement, musicians are paid a fixed rate for each service. Some orchestras pay musicians a higher rate for performances, while others pay players the same rate for both practices and performances.

3. Union Agreements

Union agreements are another way that orchestra musicians get paid. It provides a secure and stable source of income for orchestra musicians.

Orchestra musicians who are members of a labor union, such as the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), are typically covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

They get paid by negotiating wages and working conditions on behalf of their members.

Under union agreements, musicians receive a set rate of pay for rehearsals and performances, as well as benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and paid time off.

The exact terms of union agreements vary depending on the orchestra, but they generally provide musicians with a stable and secure income, which allows them to focus on their craft and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work.

This agreement sets the minimum pay and working conditions for orchestra musicians, including the per-service fee and minimum salary.

4. Commission or Percentage-Based Pay

Commission or Percentage-Based Pay is different way orchestra musicians get paid. It is typically more flexible.

According to Newmusic USA, a full orchestra usually gets paid commissions at a higher rate of 74%.

In some cases, orchestra musicians may receive a commission or a percentage of the ticket sales for each performance.

In this case, musicians earn a percentage of ticket sales or other revenue from their performances.

The revenue that musicians receive may vary depending on the orchestra’s size and the venue’s size.

This payment type is common in theater orchestras, where musicians are paid based on the number of tickets sold for each performance.

While in some cases, musicians may also receive a base pay in addition to the commission or percentage-based payment.

In addition to these forms of payment, orchestra musicians may also receive benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Conclusion

Orchestra musicians get paid in various ways, depending on the type of orchestra and the musician’s contract.

Regardless of the payment method, all these options provide a source of income for orchestra musicians and allow them to continue pursuing their passion for music.

Get in touch with Rick Perdian, essentials of orchestras management, for more information.