Musician Salary in Chicago, Illinois

How much does a Musician make in Chicago, IL?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Musician in Chicago, IL is $51,265. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $43,028 to $59,483, with most professionals earning between $35,529 and $66,964.

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Salary range for a Musician

$43,028 to $59,483

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What is a Musician?

A Musician is a person who plays a musical instrument or is musically talented. Anyone who composes, conducts, or performs music is referred to as a Musician. A Musician who plays a musical instrument is also known as an instrumentalist. Musicians can specialize in any musical style, and some musicians play in a variety of different styles depending on cultures and background. Examples of a Musician's possible skills include performing, conducting, singing, rapping, producing, composing, arranging, and the orchestration of music....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Musician in Chicago, IL

What does a Musician do?

Common responsibilities of a Musician

Attend Music Ministry meetings in order to address all aspects of a music ministry in the parish.

January 31, 2023

Leadership, teaching, advocacy, problem solving and communication skills, and intensive experience in community arts education.

February 01, 2023

Contact a Navy Recruiter or call or email the Navy Music Program Audition Supervisor to learn more.

February 20, 2023

Participate in all rehearsals and performances.

March 06, 2023

Compose, transcribe and arrange music for all types of ensembles.

March 17, 2023

Understanding music theory and harmony.

March 25, 2023

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Musician Salary By Experience Levels in Chicago, IL

How much should you be earning in Musician in Chicago, IL based on your current experience?

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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Musician Salary By Level of Education in Chicago, IL

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Musician in Chicago, IL

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

43028

59483

51265

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

43537

62348

52256

What is the average salary for Musician in 2025?

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Musician in Chicago, IL. The base salary for Musician ranges from $43,028 to $59,483 with the average base salary of $51,265. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $43,537 to $62,348 with the average total cash compensation of $52,256.

View Average Salary for Musician as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$51,265	$43,028 - $59,483
Bonus	$991	$509 - $2,865
Total Pay	$52,256	$43,537 - $62,348

* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.

* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Musician Salary Near Chicago, IL

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Cicero, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $43,028 - $59,483	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL 0%
CITY, STATE Oak Park, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $43,028 - $59,483	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL 0%
CITY, STATE Oak Lawn, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $42,978 - $59,414	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Evanston, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $43,012 - $59,460	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Skokie, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $43,012 - $59,460	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Arlington Heights, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $42,129 - $58,239	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL

See salaries for Musician in locations close to Chicago, IL. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

About Chicago, Illinois

Chicago (/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ (listen), locally also /-ˈkɔː-/), officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in Illinois, as well as the third most populous city in the United States. With an estimated population of 2,716,450 (2017), it is the most populous city in the Midwest. Chicago is the principal city of the Chicago metropolitan area, often referred to as Chicagoland, and the county seat of Cook County, the second most populous county in the United States. The metropolitan area, at nearly 10 million people, is the third-largest in the United States, and the fourth largest in North A...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

View Salary for Similar Jobs to Musician in Chicago, IL

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JOB TITLE	LOCATION	MINIMUM SALARY	MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE Band Musician	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $59,932	MAXIMUM SALARY $117,631
JOB TITLE Broadway Musician	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $31,434	MAXIMUM SALARY $43,553
JOB TITLE Musician Or Singer	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $105,775	MAXIMUM SALARY $122,261
JOB TITLE Orchestra Musician	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $64,145	MAXIMUM SALARY $90,122
JOB TITLE Church Musician	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $37,822	MAXIMUM SALARY $46,614
JOB TITLE Professional Musician	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $80,094	MAXIMUM SALARY $149,398

The Musician job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Chicago, IL that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

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