Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Accompanist salary
Average accompanist salary
$52,645
Understanding Accompanist Salaries
The role of an Accompanist is vital in supporting soloists and ensembles in various musical settings. As of October 2025, the average salary for an accompanist stands at $52,645 annually. However, this figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution or organization hiring.
Salary Variations by State
Accompanists in states such as California, New York, and Texas tend to earn higher salaries due to the demand for musical talent in urban areas. Additionally, educational institutions and performing arts organizations often offer competitive pay to attract skilled accompanists.
Career Growth and Opportunities
With experience, an accompanist can expand their career by taking on teaching roles, working with diverse musical genres, or collaborating with renowned artists. This not only enhances earning potential but also enriches professional experience.
Conclusion
Accompanists play a crucial role in the music industry, and understanding salary trends can help you navigate your career path effectively. Explore job listings to find opportunities that align with your skills and location.
Let Zippi find your next accompanist job
Let Zippi find your next accompanist job
Where can an Accompanist earn more?
Accompanist salary estimates from across the web
Average accompanist salary by state
The average accompanist salary in New York, New Jersey, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average accompanist salary states are Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for accompanists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $78,807 | $37.89 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $69,492 | $33.41 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| 4 | Alaska | $71,798 | $34.52 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $67,648 | $32.52 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $65,818 | $31.64 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $54,204 | $26.06 |
| 8 | Michigan | $57,466 | $27.63 |
| 9 | Vermont | $62,518 | $30.06 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $58,875 | $28.31 |
| 11 | Illinois | $61,056 | $29.35 |
| 12 | California | $57,728 | $27.75 |
| 13 | Ohio | $54,474 | $26.19 |
| 14 | Arizona | $51,506 | $24.76 |
| 15 | Iowa | $55,309 | $26.59 |
| 16 | Maryland | $52,562 | $25.27 |
| 17 | Virginia | $53,962 | $25.94 |
| 18 | Texas | $50,957 | $24.50 |
| 19 | Maine | $52,715 | $25.34 |
| 20 | Kansas | $51,707 | $24.86 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $48,884 | $23.50 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $51,498 | $24.76 |
| 23 | Indiana | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $45,557 | $21.90 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $47,839 | $23.00 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $47,235 | $22.71 |
| 28 | Delaware | $48,245 | $23.19 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $46,197 | $22.21 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $46,205 | $22.21 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $45,397 | $21.83 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $44,371 | $21.33 |
| 34 | Utah | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $47,976 | $23.07 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| 37 | Colorado | $41,430 | $19.92 |
| 38 | Georgia | $42,179 | $20.28 |
| 39 | Alabama | $42,065 | $20.22 |
| 40 | Florida | $43,222 | $20.78 |
| 41 | Nevada | $42,295 | $20.33 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $42,047 | $20.21 |
| 43 | Oregon | $41,812 | $20.10 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $41,196 | $19.81 |
| 45 | Montana | $40,957 | $19.69 |
| 46 | Washington | $40,366 | $19.41 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| 48 | Idaho | $39,402 | $18.94 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $38,054 | $18.30 |
| 50 | Missouri | $35,004 | $16.83 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $34,002 | $16.35 |
Highest paying cities for accompanists
The highest-paying cities for accompanists are Hempstead, NY, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hempstead, NY | $79,437 | $38.19 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $67,312 | $32.36 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $61,472 | $29.55 |
| 4 | Santa Clara, CA | $59,085 | $28.41 |
| 5 | Dubuque, IA | $58,779 | $28.26 |
| 6 | Morgantown, WV | $56,971 | $27.39 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $51,642 | $24.83 |
| 8 | Topeka, KS | $51,572 | $24.79 |
| 9 | Prescott, AZ | $51,232 | $24.63 |
| 10 | New Orleans, LA | $42,221 | $20.30 |
| 11 | Columbus, GA | $41,658 | $20.03 |
| 12 | Auburn, AL | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| 13 | Castle Rock, CO | $41,550 | $19.98 |
| 14 | Bellingham, WA | $41,433 | $19.92 |
| 15 | Salt Lake City, UT | $41,113 | $19.77 |
| 16 | Pocatello, ID | $38,271 | $18.40 |
| 17 | Hattiesburg, MS | $36,562 | $17.58 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $35,792 | $17.21 |
Accompanist salary details
An accompanist's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $111,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an accompanist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $9,250 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| Average | $52,645 | $4,387 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying accompanist jobs
The highest paying types of accompanists are guitarist, concert pianist, and musician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musician | $57,257 | $4,771 | $27.53 | 103 |
| Audio Engineer | $55,853 | $4,654 | $26.85 | 1,750 |
| Actor | $53,377 | $4,448 | $25.66 | 218 |
| Pianist | $53,479 | $4,457 | $25.71 | 99 |
Which companies pay accompanists the most?
Accompanist salaries at Kern Community College District and Loyola University New Orleans are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average accompanist salary at companies like Boston Ballet School and The Chicago High School for the Arts are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $131,324 | $63.14 |
| 2 | Loyola University New Orleans | $94,034 | $45.21 |
| 3 | Boston Ballet School | $90,567 | $43.54 |
| 4 | The Chicago High School for the Arts | $83,489 | $40.14 |
| 5 | Oakland University | $75,399 | $36.25 |
| 6 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School | $74,244 | $35.69 |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| 8 | Houston Ballet | $69,634 | $33.48 |
| 9 | University of Idaho | $67,999 | $32.69 |
| 10 | Clarke University | $66,738 | $32.09 |
| 11 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | $65,834 | $31.65 |
| 12 | Santa Clara University | $64,796 | $31.15 |
| 13 | Western Washington University | $59,907 | $28.80 |
| 14 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | $58,178 | $27.97 |
| 15 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | $57,006 | $27.41 |
| 16 | Sam Houston State University | $55,488 | $26.68 |
| 17 | Texas Tech University | $54,694 | $26.30 |
| 18 | Bemidji State University | $53,235 | $25.59 |
| 19 | First United Church of Christ | $52,838 | $25.40 |
| 20 | Arizona State University | $52,483 | $25.23 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Accompanist salary trends
The average accompanist salary has risen by $9,845 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average accompanist earned $42,800 annually, but today, they earn $52,645 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for accompanists over the last decade.
Compare accompanist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average accompanist salary over time
Compare accompanist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Accompanist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,600 | $25.31 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $50,600 | $24.33 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $48,000 | $23.08 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $47,000 | $22.58 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $45,700 | $21.97 | +2.1% |
Recently added accompanist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monett | Piano Accompanist | Noel, MO | 06/26/2025 | $32,349 |
| Minnetonka Public School District | Piano Accompanist for Elementary Childrens Select Choir | Nore, MN | 06/21/2025 | $30,888 |
| Oakland Schools | Accompanist (Edustaff) | Highland, MI | 06/19/2025 | $41,740 |
| Princeton Public Schools | Piano Accompanist | Princeton, NJ | 06/19/2025 | $83,480 |
| Blue Valley School District | Accompanist-Blue Valley Northwest High School | Overland Park, KS | 06/13/2025 | $54,095 |
| Blinn College | Piano Accompanist | Brenham, TX | 06/11/2025 | $73,045 |
| Greece Central School District | Music Accompanist School Year | Fine, NY | 06/10/2025 | $39,653 |
| Olathe Public Schools | Accompanist-Oregon Trail Middle School-School Year | Olathe, KS | 06/10/2025 | $48,001 |
| Old Town School of Folk Music | West African Percussion Accompanist (Substitute) | Chicago, IL | 06/10/2025 | $45,914 |
| Hutchinson Community College | Piano Accompanist (Stf3100) | Hutchinson, KS | 06/07/2025 | $41,740 |
Accompanist salary FAQs
Search for accompanist jobs